Generosity

In this time of Lent, a lot of people are giving things up. It's a good spiritual discipline to give up certain things for a time in order to grow closer to God. However, this year, I learned about an opportunity to give things away instead of giving them up.

It's called 40 acts, and it is a challenge that includes the 40 days of Lent. Every day, participants are challenged to give something to others in large and small acts of generosity. Journaling about these acts is also encouraged.

One day, I wrote a thank you note to our cleaning lady. Another time I wrote a list of my spheres of influence and considered what positive message I could share with one of those spheres. Some days I do better and some days I don't know how to complete the challenge, or I feel too uncomfortable to follow through.

Nonetheless, I have been becoming more aware of thankfulness in my life. And even when I fail to carry out the generosity challenge, it helps me reflect on how living with open hands and an open heart can change the world. So, for example, even though I don't think that starting up a car (even a small one) is worth it to go 10 blocks, I can accept the generous offer of my host family to bring me to the bus terminal. Instead of struggling by myself or walking for twenty minutes, I accept their offer to take me. And in some ways, accepting a gesture that goes against my basic principles (such as caring for the environment and minimizing use of automobiles) is an act of generosity too.

So, try it. Live extravagantly, thinking the best of others, offering smiles and thank yous freely, and going over the top for the sake of other people.