Topic of the day: Generosity. It can be overwhelmingly difficult to pin down, since the purest examples often go unnoticed, but generosity works its magic wherever people come together, and it sure as hell lives all around us! And one thing should become apparent after this terrible ranting of mine-that generosity allows us all to enjoy our share of the treasures that the world has to offer.
The first word that comes to mind when I hear that lovely ten letter word is cheerfulness. Yes, that grandiose word 'cheerfulness'. Not sharing, caring, daring, what have you, but cheerfulness. In my eyes & freakishly weird brain, generosity is the off-shoot of cheerfulness and gratitude-it can blunt the sting of unkindness in others, and it most definitely can be a simple spontaneous expression of enthusiasm. Wow, Webster should have opted for my beautiful definition...but on a serious note, it is exhilarating. Just sitting at the computer and trying to tackle the impossible and discovering the logical--especially with a word so profound and dense--reinvents you. Generosity is everywhere, and everywhere there is something incredible waiting to be shared. I mean, shit, its like a treasure chest that grants wishes, and delving into finding meaning of what many people probably just see as a word makes you look through a wide-angle & allows you a view of the whole of humanity. It is absolutely glorious. And so, I thought I would share with you another one of my lost puppy, recently found, moments--but on generosity's terms this time.
But first, I think it is important to express the reasoning for this blog and what provoked me to do some discovering. I am unfortunately a person who does not realize things until they are actually happening, and when they do happen, I over-analyze the shit out of them. For example, I was emotionless about Graduation until that moment I was standing there, shaking the Dean's hand, receiving my diploma. Not a good trait of mine, believe me--but that is insignificant. As most of you have heard, an unfathomable catastrophe has happened in Haiti. On January 12, 2010, the country was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, destroying the capital and killing over 100,000 Haitians. Heart-wrenching. Seeing photos, watching the news, and sitting here surrounded by my luxuries, the actuality of the event "hit" me--making me realize that lavishness may last until the money runs out, but its generosity that lasts a lifetime. Now, I know that I cannot save the world, and that my ten dollar donation to the Red Cross does not do justice to those who perished--or even to the state that Haiti is in at this time--but I do know that I sure as shit can make generosity shine through words. I can make it the center of attention, because we all know that a dose of generosity is exactly what Haiti needs right now. And there are many things that the world can do without, but generosity is not one of them.
So, here it goes...Generosity, I hope I make you shine.
We all possess a natural will to help others, but it simply cannot blossom without being nurtured first...so here is the big secret of generosity: use your extra energy to help someone else rather than try to get to the top first! It cannot be something you just do in your spare time, but an everyday act of lifting a person up. And I assure you that if you arise cheerfully & live the day in happy readiness to be generous, there is no such thing as waking up on the wrong side of the bed.
-----------------
--My Boulevard to Generosity for You--
--My Boulevard to Generosity for You--
Take the time to understand the best in others & compliment often.
Give even when you stand to lose out as a result.
Find your own peace, then pass it on.
Don't wait for people to be friendly-show them how instead.
Whoever you meet, always try to put them at their ease.
Show a willingness to see things from another person's position, even if you don't like the view.
We are never as generous as we think.
In life, try to be interested in the whole story, not just your own scenes.
Give lots of hugs.
Don't use the audacity of a beggar as an excuse for not helping them.
Love loudly & be generous in silence.
Whenever you see someone in distress, don't pity them--relieve them of their burden.
Accept tough challenges and trek into them with joy and enthusiasm.
Don't ask if there is anything you can do, simply do it.
And most importantly, you cannot force others to be generous--the best you can expect is to set an example.
---------------------
Give even when you stand to lose out as a result.
Find your own peace, then pass it on.
Don't wait for people to be friendly-show them how instead.
Whoever you meet, always try to put them at their ease.
Show a willingness to see things from another person's position, even if you don't like the view.
We are never as generous as we think.
In life, try to be interested in the whole story, not just your own scenes.
Give lots of hugs.
Don't use the audacity of a beggar as an excuse for not helping them.
Love loudly & be generous in silence.
Whenever you see someone in distress, don't pity them--relieve them of their burden.
Accept tough challenges and trek into them with joy and enthusiasm.
Don't ask if there is anything you can do, simply do it.
And most importantly, you cannot force others to be generous--the best you can expect is to set an example.
---------------------
So ladies and gents, generosity is in fact a cinch--and it is easy to put yourself to good use if you always remember you are needed. And hey, generosity has no size. There is never too little or too much cheerfulness. In fact, my little piece of heaven sleeping next to me lives and breathes for long walks, and guess what, I am a vital factor to fulfilling that desire of hers, I am needed. So, as my words leave off, my generosity begins--and it makes me smile to think its just by the wagging of her tail and a walk to the park.
