I always thought I was a fairly generous person. I love giving thoughtful gifts to others, tithe 10% of my paychecks to go towards charitable causes (Compassion International, Samaritan's Purse, disaster relief, school families who are in need), Boy/Girl Scouts, etc.However, while considering myself a generous person, I've also realized that I'm a tightwad... no, cheap... no, a penny-pincher... no, frugal... YES. There have been countless times where I have been stingy with my money and time. I find ways to justify not supporting a friend's Mary Kay Business or Thirty-One Gifts Business; leaving exactly 15% as a tip, not driving out to visit a dear friend who lives more than 30 minutes away, and never loaning money to anyone - friends or family.
I have come to realize that the generosity of others continues to impact me in such a positive way, that it's driving me to be more generous. It started with getting married in 2010. I couldn't believe how generous people were for both my shower and wedding. I was shocked at how many people who couldn't make the wedding still sent me a gift (I didn't know that was done). After going to umpteen weddings this summer/fall, I've just reminded myself that I still have cards to send out for not only weddings that we couldn't attend, but even a wedding we DID attend! How awful is that?
Then, in 2012 I found out I was pregnant. Once again, the generosity came pouring in. People from work made me or gave me things, family members went well out of their way to provide baby necessities, I was thrown an amazing shower where people truly showered me with gifts. Then, after the birth of my baby, I still received gifts from people- and again, some people who couldn't make my baby shower still sent me a gift and others gave me a gift for the baby shower AND after the birth (I didn't know that was done either)! This all has opened my eyes to how ungenerous I am. I mean, I always have good intentions and THINK about how I can be supportive, but actually doing it is a whole other thing.
That brings me to the BEST example of generosity that I know- and it might shock some of you. But, it's my husband. He leaves good tips - even if the service wasn't the best. He additionally tips the Rookies and Tano's delivery driver even if there's already a delivery fee included. He thinks of thoughtful gifts for special occasions and even for no particular reason (he doesn't run to the store to pick up a gift- he actually thinks about a gift that is fitting and then finds where he can buy it or order it) and tells me that I can take credit for the gift if I want - EVEN THOUGH HE PAID FOR IT! He helps his friends complete labor-intensive jobs that make him sweat buckets. When the weather is bad, he pulls people out of the ditch and drives people to their destinations. He fixes his friends' cars outside of work to help them out. He, too, supports Boy/Girl Scouts. He GIVES AWAY things that he doesn't need anymore (and I'm in the background thinking how he should save it "just in case" or try to sell it for some money). He puts his money down on some things trusting that others will pay him back. He doesn't hold a grudge if they don't pay him back- he figures they'll pay him eventually. He occasionally brings me some Crossword Scratch Off Lottery tickets, just because he knows I enjoy them once in a while. The list could easily go on...
So, even though it's way past the time to make New Year's Resolutions, I have mine. It's to be more generous. More generous in the quiet ways. I want to go out of my way for others. Already I've started tipping more (and it sure feels good to walk out of an establishment after leaving a good tip), truly listening to others and finding ways I can help/support them when they don't suspect it, and giving things away if I know someone else could use it.
Being generous isn't just giving money to good causes, but it's giving time and consideration to others. And that's the kind of person I want to be.
But don't get me started on The Giving Tree. That's a whole different view of giving and I greatly dislike it.
