Generosity
From 16Guidelines
What is Generosity?
Generosity is an attitude of goodwill towards others. It is exemplified by giving without coercion, and that can be giving time, money, friendship or possessions. People often talk of a 'generosity of spirit' - high praise indeed! What this describes is an attitude of sharing, rather than being focused on a limited world of 'me' and 'mine'. From this point of view, generosity is not something one does reluctantly, but with a full heart.
This attitude of generosity with others encourages us to be the great people that we are. We can share our skills and abilities generously, for the benefit of others. This in turn enhances our confidence and good feeling, which makes us happy! It is rarely the size of the gift or the gesture that matters most but the message that comes with it and the very fact of the time and inclination to be generous.
Generosity is a natural expression of love and to some degree everyone on the planet demonstrates generosity in some way, whether to a family member, friend, loved one or cherished pet. The challenge is whether we choose to limit our generosity to only those who we know, or whether we can demonstrate generosity to others, strangers, even enemies.
Quotes
"If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble."
- Bob Hope
"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."
- The Buddha
"What really matters is what you do with what you have."
- H. G. Wells
"Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out."
- Frank A. Clark
"Really big people are, above everything else, courteous, considerate and generous - not just to some people in some circumstances, but to everyone all the time."
- Thomas J. Watson, Snr
In this Guideline, so far we have an interesting study about the benefits of giving, and we have generosity meditations. Feel free to make a contribution!
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