The Gift of Generosity
The central premise of The Encouragement Manifesto is essentially one of generosity. To be ‘generous’ is to offer more than is expected. Perhaps it is also ‘to give with no expectation of reciprocation’. Our informal mentoring through the Encouragement Sessions is a case in point; our free offer of positivity and enthusiasm for whoever asks for it … offered with no expectation of the sort of kind words shared in return by @eatbetterwithbriony
The Gift of Generosity
Love, joy, creations, skills, interest, curiosity, strength, kindness, belongings, energy, knowledge, a smile, optimism, time, and money.
Which of these gifts could you offer in an act of generosity?
I observe an inherent assumption that time and money are our most valuable commodities, so there is a natural likelihood that they become the currency of generosity. With the glamorisation of busyness, we seem more time-poor than ever; so generosity is in danger of being cast out in the cold.
But generosity has the opportunity to create phenomenal returns - a sense of satisfaction, an unexpected outcome, a returned favour yet unwritten.
The returns from generosity might just be even greater than you could anticipate - I'm not sure that is true of all the other ways we spend our time.
I ask you to consider the most generous thing that someone has done for you; not the biggest or most lavish gift but the most meaningful act of generosity. Have you repaid it? Or paid it forwards to someone else?
Does generosity breed generosity in the same way that kindness breeds kindness?
Like many things, being generous is a habit and one that we can cultivate.
I've had the good fortune to be surrounded by more and more generous souls at work and home over the past few years.
They are the ‘generosity role models’ who empower others and approach life with a 'pay it forward' attitude to do their utmost to help humanity thrive.
So let's take a moment to celebrate all the people who:
Help someone who is looking a little lost - physically or emotionally
Share their own experience to help others on their journey
Work in the open so more people can benefit from their efforts and build on their foundations
Invest time and energy to ask questions to unpick someone else's problem
Lend their strength to others going through difficult times
Bend over backward to accommodate a last-minute request or pitch-in to help
Are not afraid to ask difficult questions without imposing their own agenda
Generosity and kindness are kindred spirits, but kindness seems to be having a moment in the cultural sun. Let's hope that generosity picks up some of the afterglow.
It was an act of generosity that ignited my love for Feasts and Fables; a rallying call from Barrie on Instagram offering coaching + conversation (and energy and positivity) to support people like me on our journey through life.
Time was perhaps the currency in this case; his experience, knowledge, and radiant positivity were the gifts without which I wouldn't be here making time to reflect and share my somewhat nascent thoughts with you about one jigsaw piece of the marvellous Encouragement Manifesto.
‘Be Generous’ is not just one of the 10 ‘values’, it is a spirit woven into the heart of The Encouragement Manifesto as Briony proves with her generously gifted words
