Me too, Charlotte! I wonder sometimes if it's easier for extroverts to be generous since my introversion places these kinds of exchanges outside my comfort zone and they absolutely did enrich an already bountiful trip.
Thank you, Wendy! I call these moments, Gifts of extravagant kindness. Not because they are huge in monetary value or time, but because they are so unexpected and we have connected with the individual on a personal level.
The 4000 weeks book really made me think about how I spend my time and was actually a push towards me leaving full-time work at 60 instead of sticking it out till 65 or later.
I hadn’t thought much about generosity, but I have over the last few years noticed that taking the time to have an interaction with someone rather than ignoring them has enriched my day. Talking to the clerk at the grocery store, having a brief chat with a woman walking her dog past my campsite, or leaving a comment rather than just a heart or thumbs up on someone’s social media post that I enjoyed - those all help me feel more connected to the world. Perhaps that’s generosity at work - I googled “Generosity” and near the top of the list was this definition: “happy to give time, money, food, or kindness to people in need.” Perhaps we are all in need in one way or another, and buying that man a slice of pizza or a barista a book of poetry is both generosity and building community, each of us in little acts every day.
What serendipity - that this book influenced such a big life shift for you, Annie. You are absolutely right about time. Often in the grip of "being busy," we can be stingier with that than with our money. Conversations, notes, all those little ways we let someone else know - I see you. You matter. - they mean so much in the bigger scheme of things. They are the invisible strands in the community tapestry we weave together.
Wendy, this was the perfect way to start my day and my thinking about generosity. Time management never sounded so appealing.
Thanks, Georgie! The connection between these two topics surprised me too!
Thanks, Wendy! This was a warm, peaceful moment for my heart in an inbox that is a hellscape of election coverage.
You're welcome, Katharine! And thanks for the story you forwarded to me about generosity. I enjoyed reading it.
Thank you for this Wendy.. I'm so glad you allowed your generosity to enrich your already rich time in Newark.
Me too, Charlotte! I wonder sometimes if it's easier for extroverts to be generous since my introversion places these kinds of exchanges outside my comfort zone and they absolutely did enrich an already bountiful trip.
Thank you, Wendy! I call these moments, Gifts of extravagant kindness. Not because they are huge in monetary value or time, but because they are so unexpected and we have connected with the individual on a personal level.
The 4000 weeks book really made me think about how I spend my time and was actually a push towards me leaving full-time work at 60 instead of sticking it out till 65 or later.
I hadn’t thought much about generosity, but I have over the last few years noticed that taking the time to have an interaction with someone rather than ignoring them has enriched my day. Talking to the clerk at the grocery store, having a brief chat with a woman walking her dog past my campsite, or leaving a comment rather than just a heart or thumbs up on someone’s social media post that I enjoyed - those all help me feel more connected to the world. Perhaps that’s generosity at work - I googled “Generosity” and near the top of the list was this definition: “happy to give time, money, food, or kindness to people in need.” Perhaps we are all in need in one way or another, and buying that man a slice of pizza or a barista a book of poetry is both generosity and building community, each of us in little acts every day.
What serendipity - that this book influenced such a big life shift for you, Annie. You are absolutely right about time. Often in the grip of "being busy," we can be stingier with that than with our money. Conversations, notes, all those little ways we let someone else know - I see you. You matter. - they mean so much in the bigger scheme of things. They are the invisible strands in the community tapestry we weave together.