Generosity By Linda Stowe
“Help is the sunny side of control.” ~Anne Lamott
I try to be a generous person. I don’t say that to sound proud or pious because this is not something I came up with. I picked it up by watching my parents, so it is what I do. The same for my brother and sister. None of us is perfect at it, but it is our starting point. However, I think generosity is an important trait to have and it is one that I continually aim for.
Generosity can take many forms beyond the most obvious, that of giving people stuff. It can manifest itself on an individual basis through giving people the benefit of the doubt, not holding grudges, or merely being present when someone needs a friend. It can benefit the larger community through volunteerism and being a positive team member.
The Lamott quote, help is the sunny side of control, troubles me because unfortunately that is the lens through which most people see generosity. Too often, gifts are seen as transactional which, by definition, does not make them gifts. It makes them payments. I give you this, so you should be grateful about it. That is not only awkward, it is mean-spirited because it puts the recipient in the position of feeling less-than and beholden.
People who enjoy giving have most likely been the recipient of gifts in the past. I know I have on more occasions than I can list. I’m just paying it forward. I wish we could all see it that way.
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Polly here.
Another great piece by Linda Stowe.
And it is true. Giving should be exactly that: Giving. We should give from our hearts without expectations of anything in return.
I think the world needs more giving. True giving.
Because our world can be tough at times.
Whether it’s through time, resources, or kindness, every act of generosity contributes to the well-being of others.
In this world of ours that often feels divided, giving might just remind us of our shared humanity.
And you know what? Even those small actions can make a profound difference. It doesn’t take grand gestures to create change. Sometimes, the smallest acts of giving have the most powerful rippling effects. Sometimes more than we could have imagined.
Give generously. Accept graciously. Or something like that.
Generosity By Linda Stowe
