“Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.” ―Henry Longfellow
Generosity makes our world a better place. It improves the life of the receiver. And it improves the life of the giver. Yet, despite the benefits, generosity is still too rare in our world today.
Instead, our society craves and pursues more at every turn. We seek enjoyment by directing most of our resources towards our own pursuits: security, possessions, experiences, enjoyment, and luxury. Meanwhile, significant opportunities for generosity surround us every day at every turn. In order to unconform our thinking in a consumer-driven world and begin taking greater advantage of the abundant benefits of generosity, we need to shift our worldview.
Consider then, these 9 ways generous people see the world differently:
1. They recognize the resource pie is not finite.
The mindset of competition—that my resources only grow when someone else’s shrinks—is based on a faulty premise. It assumes there is a finite sized pie and if someone else enjoys success, my opportunity shrinks. But quite frankly, this thinking is incorrect. The pie of resources is not finite. It continues to grow as society benefits from others’ success.
2. They know that generosity leads to greater happiness.
Studies confirm what generous people already know: Giving increases happiness, fulfillment, and purpose in the life of the giver. We were not designed to be creatures of selfishness. Instead, we were designed to seek and discover happiness in loving and caring for others. And those who decide to look for fulfillment there, quickly discover it.
3. They find success in helping others succeed.
The easiest path to finding success in your life is to help someone else find theirs. After all, our contribution to this world has to be measured by something more significant than the size of our savings account. Our lives are going to find their greatest significance in how we choose to live them—and how we enable others to live theirs.
4. They believe changing even one life is worthwhile.
Generous people are quick to admit the world’s problems will never be solved by one person… and perhaps, never completely solved even in the future. But perfection does not slow them. To them, changing even one life within their sphere of influence is reward enough. And is a worthy endeavor to be sought.
5. They trust others.
Generosity always requires trust. To invest individual resources into another person, we must believe, on some level, that they will use them wisely. Generous people are optimistic. And optimistic people are happy people because they choose to live in a world where belief in others is liberally employed.
6. They dream big dreams for their money.
Our money is only as valuable as what we choose to spend it on. Generous people use their excess to bring big dreams into reality. Our financial resources can be used to improve the quality of life for others. They can be used to make our communities safer, smarter, and more responsible. They can be used to make this world a little more pleasant for everyone. Indeed, generous people dream big dreams for their money… and so should we.
7. They see more resources to give than money.
We have so much more to offer this world than just financial resources. We have time, talents, experiences, and lessons learned. Giving people think beyond their money and begin to invest their lives into others. Often times, this step can be more difficult than signing a check… but usually, it is more desperately needed.
8. They fully embrace the reality that life is short.
Life is short. And we only get one shot at it. Those who fully embrace this reality learn to live life in light of it. They recognize we have but a short time to leave our imprint on this world. And they cheerfully give their resources to accomplish it.
9. They are content to live with less.
By definition, true generosity requires a level of contentment. It recognizes the reality that giving our resources to another person means we have less for ourselves. In this way, contentment forms the foundation for generosity. But in response, surprisingly enough, generosity also becomes the fuel for greater contentment.
Our world is desperately seeking cheerful and generous givers. They improve society. They inspire us. They push us forward. And their view of the world is one I desire to further grow in my own life.
Image: Chris Yarzab
jeremy dyson give a command generosity is being a healthy person and help other if can be a karma and come back around
Hai susan ..am a first year student doing nursing in Namibia ,am an orphan am an able to pay for my studies for only two years please help me
Am in Uganda but l suggest that you get a job
dear friends in christ we want generous donor for our ministry childrenhome. Righteous giving generously,they are always prosperous and increasing. We need donation of $1200 evry months as daily food provison,daily basis needs, utilty ,education shelter and house rent staff salary etc for childrenhome, we need $32000,00 for purchase land and build house for childrenhome,for school van $6;500.00 , pray pastor and en evangelist monthly support,Pray revival and salvation for the State of Orissa and india. Please coming forward to support us. Thankyou
I feel that this really is some thing thats often pushed aside in my opinion. Appreciate your the
post and I will be certain to follow your progress http://www.atlantic-medical.com/2017/04/hydrogen-peroxide-amazing-history-and-cures/
Love your posts and philosophy including, generally speaking, this one. Just one question. How can #1 and #9 both be true?
Giving prospers the society, mind bearing that you are also given by someone that makes you to give.
Hi I’m a single mom of two disable kids and suffering from severe financial crises and have no source of income . I want to do any work but it’s not possible to go out while leaving my kids. Alone . Is there any generous man or woman who can help me .
Regards
This morning I was thinking about creating a society of generosity. There would be no money. Still, people would care about others, so they’d get up and work to ensure others had what they needed. They would encourage others to do the same. Those who could not work would want to be generous in some of the ways mentioned above – life lessons, a smile, etc. I think people would work hard, and would be grateful for the gifts they received from others. No one would have to give, and anyone could turn away any gift. I wish I could find a group of people who would want to do this. A group of people who would just give what they don’t need and work to take care of themselves and others, knowing their kindness would be reciprocated. It would be nice to live in a generous society like this where the most urgent and important needs would be met first, like Sadaf’s, and the least important needs would be met last. If anyone has any ideas about how I can accomplish that, I would love to know.
It has been tried many times, most have been unsuccessful. Perhaps the most successful are the Amish in America. Best of luck in your journey for fulfillment.
Hi Kendall,
I have joined a “buy nothing” facebook group and their idea is to create a gifting economy in your neighborhood. Another group I’m using is Nextdoor, also brings neighbors together, be it sharing fruit/veggies from their gardens, giving away furniture, or else that someone could still use. Both groups are fantastic to connect people and share resources. I’m very glad, I found out about them.
Be a missionary in a third world country. You will get a chance to do all the things you mentioned. You will find people who appreciate everything you can offer.
Apply for personal independence payments for all their costs for care cars and help check the gov website
At this moment I am going away to do my breakfast, once having my breakfast coming again to read additional news.
This will help a lot for people to give
Indeed. I am inclined more to number 4, 6 and 9. Thank you for this post. Very renewing to be more generous and helpful.
These are awesome points to be noted!
I received a great piece of advice from my lawyer, when doing
my will. “If you can afford it now, don’t wait until your gone to
leave something to someone. Do it now, you’ll have the joy of
seeing how you have helped someone.”
It could be 20, 30, 40 or so years before your gone. And they
could use the help now. It doesn’t have to be a lump sum,
disperse it in whatever way you are comfortable with.
I never really thought of it this way, don’t know why.
Hi, I asked for help from anyone you to set aside any money that you can, for me and my family to pay hutang2 moneylenders, and I thank you it is my no reg bank mandiri 90000267777624 an sulistyono thx for you donation
If you are generous to your enemies you see dust. Be careful who you shower your precious generosity.
Good job! But do you know that many out there are willing to be generous but the confrontation before them a times are making this dream a reality? especially when you are planning to start. What is the way out?
May God bless your life.
Your grandmother is quoting something from Khalil Gibran s take on generosity. As a father to a three-year-old son, I would give my life for him or to give him the last biscuit on the plate. But generosity is doing something more than that which is to make it apply to the extended family and to my neighbor, my village and beyond.
I started following your blog about 18 months ago and as silly as it sounds, it truly has helped shape a way of thinking that truly benefits me, my family, and society around me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, taking the time to put them together.
Simply,
Jonathan
Yes success is impacting the world through the investment of your personality.
I gave always to others what I had. Now I need so much but I can not ask the others. I have never thought only abut me. Now I need to thing only about me. that make me sad and unhappy. But through the internet I dare ask people maybe somebody can help me. I want to begin a work but it need money and i have nothing. I can give it back after a year. do you now somebody who has enough money and is enough generous for barrow me. NL 83 INGB 749398701
WOW, nice article! …. Am called Edgar and live in a small East African country called Uganda. Our country is not economically prosperous like the western nations, but my country-mates seem a lot happier than the European and American people. Reason? People back here, most especially the poor, are always willing to share the little the have with others. They live happy fulfilled lives. I guess we can all learn from that. To share is to love!
Great stuff!
I sometimes fantasize about getting rid of all my objects, living out of a rucksack and becoming a beggar. But i don’t have the balls to do it, and i like the luxuries of life like hot running water, clean sheets and clothes, and eating the food i like when i want it. Over 99.99999999999999999999999% of creatures that have ever been alive don’t exist any more. I’ve got to let it all go when i expire so why can’t i do it now!
Funny I start to feel all happy inside when I give away something to someone or give to a person in need then I think I have plenty left for my family and myself how much better it would be to give my last penny, my last piece of food to someone. There is a u tube clip of a person asking for a meal to be shared by random members of the public saying “I’m hungry and have no money could you give me some of your sandwich, or to another some of your lunch they all said go away and offered some excuse. They found a homeless man who they gave a pizza to and asked if they could have some he said “sure yes” and sat with him and ate.