Generosity In the Community
vs. stinginess
Managing resources to freely give
To practice Generosity I will:
- share what I have with others
- reuse and recycle
- give of my time and talents
- praise the qualities I see in others
- not expect anything in return
Paths to Generosity
We’ve all heard the three main ways to give are our Time, Talent, or Treasure. I’ve come up with three more distinct but overlapping paths to Generosity: Outlook, Influence, and Attention. When our positive outlook is shared in our thoughts, words, and actions, we give a gift to ourselves and the others involved in a challenging situation. A joyful work attitude can be contagious and influence the work of a group. Who and what else is within your circle of influence? Family, friends, and work associates are probably the first to come to mind. What about the influence you exert when you purchase sustainable goods over those that aren’t environmentally friendly? It takes more than the difference in the cost that could be counted under Treasure. It takes motivation to research and Attention to understand the differences in choices. Who and what else gets your Attention? This may translate into who gets your time, but it is based on how aligned your actions are with your values. Often, our Attention is absconded by the allure of Netflix, Social Media, or the person/thing whining the loudest. Being intentional with our Outlook, Influence, and Attention is a Generous gift to those who receive it.
How will you exercise your Outlook, Influence, and Attention as a path to Generosity?
-Jill Tomey
