Why Be Generous?

December 25. For many people, this is a day of gifts. One might think that this means it’s a day of giving, but our society focuses much more on the receiving.

What is getting lost is the power of generosity.

Generosity is giving without expectation of return, and even more so it’s giving with the focus truly on the other person. It’s an empathetic act, one that creates and strengthens connection between people. Generosity communicates “I see you. You matter to me.”

How much more powerful could today be if we all gave in this way? We don’t have to give objects or pay money for gifts to communicate this. We have to give time and attention. We have to give of ourselves to be generous.

And this we can give no matter how physically distant we are.