Generosity is a broad stroke in the art of life

Your life can become a beautiful work of art. Be the artist. Create a rich story with a happy ending. Dare to live, to love, to take risks, and turn your life into an adventure. That ‘s better than a story in which the main character craves security,  works too hard, saves money, retires, and dies. So, for you who want to turn your life into a masterpiece, here is a broad stroke that adds wonderful colors to the canvas of your life. It is Generosity. 

Generosity makes you rich. Yes, if you give money it comes back to you in abundance. But there is much more to it than that. If you get angry at someone try being generous. Give them “space” to make their mistakes. Give them “the benefit of the doubt”. Maybe they are suffering at home. Give them compassion. If you do this you instantly have compassion for yourself, more space. Do this and you enter a state of grace, and love begins to grow. 

You can’t give something unless you have it. By giving these invisible gifts, you teach yourself that you have them to give. You have compassion and patience and love to give. Giving teaches you that you have an innate goodness, you are rich in virtue and full of love. Then you accept and appreciate yourself  more. And loving and accepting yourself is the root of  happiness. Generosity teaches you your own inherent goodness and then you see the goodness in others. This is how you heal your world. 

Be generous in your marriage. Give your spouse the gift of allowing them to be different, give them the space to be wrong when they’re wrong, and right when they’re right. Instantly you have more acceptance for yourself, more peace and a richer life. Give children the right to make their  mistakes, and learn their lessons at their own pace. Be generous with your time when you have to pick up the pieces and help them. Be generous with praise and a kind word. Make people laugh more. Be generous with your smile, it’s easy and you can give it away all day and still have plenty left.   

Know what people need and give it to them. Here’s an interesting twist. People need to be listened to, and appreciated. Therefore ask for help; then listen. Let people contribute to you. It gives them the gift of your appreciation, and lets them know they are valued and listened to. 

Once you start practicing Generosity, you will notice where you are stingy. Notice where you don’t give praise, notice where you withhold your love or compassion. Just notice it and then be generous with yourself. It’s alright, you are learning, give yourself a break, you will get it in your own time. If you are going to be stingy, be stingy with blame, criticism, and doubt. Share your joy and your philosophy but don’t share your negativity, people have plenty of that already.  

Give your love and you feel more love. I have an old cat who is getting ready to make his transition, I have been giving him more time lately just holding him and appreciating him, guess what I get? lots of love. You know it works. Just do it.