Real Generosity

My definition of generosity is the act of giving the right thing to the right person at the right time. Real generosity is an act that benefits both giver and receiver. So now that you know what my definition of it is…let me tell you what it is not.

Generosity is not:

Real Giving:

Generosity IS a Process

Real generosity goes far beyond what you give to others. In the process of giving there should be the understanding that you are the vessel through which the wealth and energy of the universe travels…spilling over the boundaries of your walls and into the lives of the others with whom you are connected. This is empowering, not draining. What you give flows in from the money in your hands and out through the deepest intents of your heart. This idea is illustrated beautifully in the following poem by Rabindranath Tagore.

Little Flute

Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure. This frail
vessel thou emptiest again and again, and fillest it ever with fresh life.

This little flute of a reed thou hast carried over hills and dales,
and hast breathed through it melodies eternally new.

At the immortal touch of thy hands my little heart loses its limits in
joy and gives birth to utterance ineffable.

Thy infinite gifts come to me only on these very small hands of mine.
Ages pass, and still thou pourest, and still there is room to fill.

Making a Difference

Many of us are generous to make a difference in our world, but sometimes we put ourselves at risk for this idea. Any time someone is generous to the point that they put themselves in the position of becoming a burden to others as a result that is not real generosity. Real generosity enables you to keep being generous, enhances you, lifts you up and creates more opportunties for not only you but also for those you help. Be sure that whatever you give you can afford to give it, that it expresses as a passion from your heart with no expectations…that the act is in itself an end. Take care of yourself first…true generosity starts with how we first treat ourselves and goes out into our world from there.