Reflections on the Fullness of Life
GENEROSITY The heart and hand that are open to give are also in a position to receive.
My barber and I had a discussion about people in the news who reportedly have billions of dollars in wealth. He complained of a society that included such billionaires while others suffered in homelessness. He declared that if he had billions, he would share it with others. He would go out and help the homeless to find shelter and to get their lives together. I suggested to him that he would never have billions unless by a stroke of luck he came upon it at once. Otherwise, his generous nature would never allow him to accumulate such wealth.
Upon reflection:
Generosity is to the soul as understanding is to the mind. If my mind is opened to new ideas, if my thoughts are allowed to flow freely, if I am ever learning, the result will be understanding. Similarly, generosity is the byproduct of the soul's uninhibited expression of love and its empathetic connection with the feelings of others. Generosity is not merely the sharing of material possessions. As a characteristic of my innermost being, it will manifest itself in the sharing of feelings and thoughts as well as of my wealth, time, and talents. The mental and spiritual sharing is no less important than the sharing of tangible goods. The world thrives on the free-flow of benefits occasioned by generosity. The halibut sacrifices life and the orange tree gives up her fruit as food. The sun gives off its rays, clouds let go their rain, and the earth yields her minerals for the benefit of man. Humans hoard. It is generosity, not accumulation, which is the balance of nature. Altruism is the basis of generosity. That does not mean that the needs of others must always come before mine. To be generous means that I have the ability to subordinate myself to another for the benefit of both of us. ********** Reflect also on: ALTRUISM, GIVING, LOVE.