In Land of Lily Pad, one of the first things we teach our young tadpoles is how to share. It teaches them how to play and get along cooperatively. It also teaches them that not every tadpole has as much "stuff" as they do. Sharing, I think, leads to being more compassionale and kinder towards others...no matte what species you are.
Yet, for some reason, sharing and giving becauses lost as we get older. It's still important for us, yet we don't feel as inclined to share our "toys," our money, food, or anything else. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is quoted as saying, "Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think." This simple quote sent shivers down my spine. I think of all the stuff I've thrown out that, perhaps, might have made a huge difference to another frog. Hindsight is always 20/20. But we can always learn from our past mistakes.
Generosity makes the world a better place. We all know this. But, despite its benefits, giving is still too rare in today's world. Instead, we crave more and more and give less and less....because there is less to give. I mean, what with all that excess spending, there's nothing left! Significant opportunities for generosity surround us every day. It might help us to become more generous, and less concerned with having all the latest gizmos, and what- have-yous, if we look at what makes generous people give, even when they may not have much themselves. Generous people:
Recognize that the "resource of the pie" isn't finite. This mindset doesn't stem from competition. If I give it to you, then I won't have any...and we all know "he who collects the most toys wins." But this is faulty thinking. The pie of resources has no limits. In actuality, the pie continues to expand as others benefit from our successes and generosity. Generous people understand this concept. Generosity leads to greater happiness. It is often said that the best way to feel better is to do something for somebody else. If it makes us feel good why, then, don't we do it more often? I once heard it said that "nowhere in the natural world does hoarding exist." Even though nature shares her bounty with us every day, there is still plent of sunshine, green grass, birds singing...and frogs croaking. Yet, all of us, frog included, tend to hang onto our stuff...ALL of it. Couldn't we all take a lesson from our Mother and begin sharing what we have? Find your success by helping others to find theirs. Our contribution to the world has to be measured by something greater than the size of our bank account. Changing even one life can be worthwhile. We're all aware that the world's problems are HUGE and can't be solved by just one person (or one little frog) but changing even one life is reward enough; a worthy endeavor to be sought. Trust is essential and generosity requires trust. In order to invest our individual resources we have to have some degree of trust that the recipient will use them wisely. Generous people are optimistic; it helps when we can think positively about others. Dream big dreams for your money. Money is only as valuable as what we chose to spend it on. Generous people use their excess cash to help make dreams a reality...both for themselves, and for others. Money may be used to help others, but it can also be used to make our commnities safer, smarter, and more socially responsible. Generous people see more resources to give than simply their money. Even if we don't have surplus cash to donate, we have loads of other gifts that we can choose to share; time, creativity, knowledge...you get the idea. Generous people embrace the reality that life is really short. You've heard the adage, "You can't take it with you." And it's true. Resources should be used in the here and now to make the world a better place. We don't have forever to make an imprint on the world, right? So why not start today? There's no better time to begin. Generous people are content to do with less. Less can be more. In so many ways. It won't hurt any of us to become a little more mininalistic. I for one can do without getting the new iPhone 7. I can easily continue using the phone I've got. It still works well and does what I need it to do. I can find better ways to use that money. I bet you can, too!
The world today is desperate for kind, caring, compassionate, and GENEROUS humans. Generous people make the world better. They inspire us to be and do better. They push us, and the rest of the world, forward with their good deeds. There'd be a lot of nothing without the generousity of others.
Yet, for some reason, sharing and giving becauses lost as we get older. It's still important for us, yet we don't feel as inclined to share our "toys," our money, food, or anything else. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is quoted as saying, "Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think." This simple quote sent shivers down my spine. I think of all the stuff I've thrown out that, perhaps, might have made a huge difference to another frog. Hindsight is always 20/20. But we can always learn from our past mistakes.
Generosity makes the world a better place. We all know this. But, despite its benefits, giving is still too rare in today's world. Instead, we crave more and more and give less and less....because there is less to give. I mean, what with all that excess spending, there's nothing left! Significant opportunities for generosity surround us every day. It might help us to become more generous, and less concerned with having all the latest gizmos, and what- have-yous, if we look at what makes generous people give, even when they may not have much themselves. Generous people:
Recognize that the "resource of the pie" isn't finite. This mindset doesn't stem from competition. If I give it to you, then I won't have any...and we all know "he who collects the most toys wins." But this is faulty thinking. The pie of resources has no limits. In actuality, the pie continues to expand as others benefit from our successes and generosity. Generous people understand this concept. Generosity leads to greater happiness. It is often said that the best way to feel better is to do something for somebody else. If it makes us feel good why, then, don't we do it more often? I once heard it said that "nowhere in the natural world does hoarding exist." Even though nature shares her bounty with us every day, there is still plent of sunshine, green grass, birds singing...and frogs croaking. Yet, all of us, frog included, tend to hang onto our stuff...ALL of it. Couldn't we all take a lesson from our Mother and begin sharing what we have? Find your success by helping others to find theirs. Our contribution to the world has to be measured by something greater than the size of our bank account. Changing even one life can be worthwhile. We're all aware that the world's problems are HUGE and can't be solved by just one person (or one little frog) but changing even one life is reward enough; a worthy endeavor to be sought. Trust is essential and generosity requires trust. In order to invest our individual resources we have to have some degree of trust that the recipient will use them wisely. Generous people are optimistic; it helps when we can think positively about others. Dream big dreams for your money. Money is only as valuable as what we chose to spend it on. Generous people use their excess cash to help make dreams a reality...both for themselves, and for others. Money may be used to help others, but it can also be used to make our commnities safer, smarter, and more socially responsible. Generous people see more resources to give than simply their money. Even if we don't have surplus cash to donate, we have loads of other gifts that we can choose to share; time, creativity, knowledge...you get the idea. Generous people embrace the reality that life is really short. You've heard the adage, "You can't take it with you." And it's true. Resources should be used in the here and now to make the world a better place. We don't have forever to make an imprint on the world, right? So why not start today? There's no better time to begin. Generous people are content to do with less. Less can be more. In so many ways. It won't hurt any of us to become a little more mininalistic. I for one can do without getting the new iPhone 7. I can easily continue using the phone I've got. It still works well and does what I need it to do. I can find better ways to use that money. I bet you can, too!
The world today is desperate for kind, caring, compassionate, and GENEROUS humans. Generous people make the world better. They inspire us to be and do better. They push us, and the rest of the world, forward with their good deeds. There'd be a lot of nothing without the generousity of others.
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