Generosity
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Abundance
“Love is something that if you give it away, you end up having more.” ~Malvina Reynolds For years I’ve been fascinated by the “law of abundance,” and I think there’s something to it. In a nutshell, the theory suggests that if you act on the belief that there’s always plenty to share, you’ll attract more good things in your life. In other words, the more you give — whether it’s love, time, money, attention, or produce from your garden — the more you get back. Conversely, if you’re miserly or overly protective of your own resources, you’re less likely to attract an abundance of anything. And if you keep taking…
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Playing from the heart
“If I am smart in business, it’s just that I’m smart about who I am. I know what I can, can’t, will, and won’t do. And if I have to be strict about that, I will.” ~Dolly Parton I’ve always admired Dolly Parton. Not just because of her musical talents — although it’s worth noting that she can play close to 20 instruments, including the fiddle, mandolin and pan-flute. Even with those long acrylic fingernails. I get a kick out of her over-the-top wardrobe, personality, and showmanship. As Dolly’s quote reminds us today, it takes a huge helping of self-confidence to pull it off. But what impresses me even more is…
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The light of gratitude
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” ~Albert Schweitzer The gratitude list is a tool I’ve promoted often in the workshops I coach, whether I use it as a writing prompt or a personal growth exercise. And I try to practice what I preach. One of my favorite exercises is to recall the names of people who’ve made a difference in my life. The medical doctors who’ve taken care of my family and me are at the top of my list. That list…
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What happens when you “pay it forward”
“You can get everything in life you want — if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” ~Zig Ziglar Yesterday I wrote about the economics of holiday spending and the real meaning of generosity. Throughout the day, which happened to be Giving Tuesday, I also thought about the phrase “paying it forward.” To pay it forward means you remember your own good fortune and help someone else (sometimes anonymously) without expecting something in return. It’s a different kind of reciprocation. I’ve learned over the years that whenever I share what I have with others, my life magically improves, too. Of course, it’s harder to be generous…
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The real measure of generosity
“A life is not measured by what we do or what we give, but by who we are … The impact we’ve had on the lives around us could be felt for decades. How present am I with the people in my life? Am I able to take responsibility for the actions that hurt others? Do I want to be right or can I choose to be thoughtful and kind?” ~Cheryl Richardson Most of us equate “generosity” with lavish gifting — especially this time of year. As I type this, economists are tracking and comparing annual statistics on holiday spending, including the types of purchases we make and how much money…
