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Generosity

12/23/2013

5 Comments

 
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Generosity is giving.  It can be the most selfish act of all.

How can giving be selfish?  Giving will provide you great joy.  It is an expression of your love. The most generous gifts you can give are your time, attention and understanding.  These are the gifts that will be remembered.

I remember when you got your puppies.  I didn't expect you to burst into tears like you did.  It was the first time I witnessed your tears of joy.  It was a moment of truth I'll never forget.  I didn't realize it at the time, but your tears were not motivated by the love you had just received.  Rather they were motivated by the love you could now give.  I had given you something to love.

Prior to that moment, my focus was on more practical things.  Who would walk the dogs?  Who would care for them when we went on vacation? Never did I stop to think that this was a need, and not a want.  They are now a part of our family in every respect.

I want you to remember to be mindful about what you are giving.  It may not always be what you expect.  A gift might give a lot more than expected or, if unreciprocated, turn into a gift of guilt.  If you want to give a gift, be discrete.  Your love will always be the greatest gift of all.

5 Comments
David
12/23/2013 09:27:44 am

Not convinced? http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=2185

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Anonymous
12/24/2013 08:33:43 am

Excellent post! I again suggest the TED talk I commented to your post on greed- this is so true! It is truly a transformative experience to give up something that is important to you for someone else. I am a teenager- I have never been married or in an intimate relationship, but this is profoundly true even within friendships. Some of the best moments I have shared with friends, things that made me most close to them, is when I have gone far out of my way to help them. This is true in all relationships: you MUST be willing to be generous to have a good relationship. If you insist on being only the taker and not the giver you will never feel satisfied. (This is the beginning of a long rant of mine about the connection between the selfishness of people in our society and why so many people have pathetic relationships, but I don't want to get into that now... I have work to do this week... ;) This is even truer when it comes to helping a stranger. The feeling that accompanies giving charity to a homeless person or someone who is generally in need is a wonderful one; something that too many people miss out on because of their selfishness.
Thanks again for a wonderful post!

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David
12/24/2013 01:07:44 pm

Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective. You appear wise beyond your years.

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Susan link
2/27/2025 08:58:03 pm

This blog on Generosity provides a thoughtful and inspiring reflection on the power of giving and its profound impact on individuals and communities alike. Your insights beautifully capture how generosity, whether through time, resources, or compassion, fosters connection, empathy, and positive change. It serves as an important reminder that generosity is not just an action but a mindset that enriches both the giver and the recipient. Thank you for sharing such meaningful and impactful content.

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David
2/27/2025 09:36:54 pm

Thank you for your kind thoughtful comment. It means a lot.

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    My name is David.  I created FathersWeek.com as a place I could leave a written record for my children - not to provide answers, but to encourage the pursuit of the right questions.

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