Generosity

Generosity of spirit is a great power for peace. Modern urban environments are sadly lacking in it. However, it can be replanted on barren ground with good results.

Materialism and hedonism have clouded the mass perception of what constitutes generosity. Grand gestures for tax breaks by Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have been advertised by mainstream media of all kinds as examples of generosity. This is not generosity of spirit. This is a capitalist business plan for more gain and less taxation.

Generosity of spirit has its root in the person who intentionally acts to promote peace in his/her immediate environment. By surrendering competition and contest, by deferring to another person's comfort, by automatically offering respectful consideration to strangers, the truly generous person plants the seeds for peace in his/her own life.

It is as simple as opening a door for the person next or behind you. Stepping aside for people exiting a subway train. Picking up a dropped object and returning it to its owner. Shoveling the snow off a neighbor's doorstep. The opportunities are endless in a crowded urban environment. Yet, the crowded urban environment is sorely lacking in a culture of generosity.

The raging SUV bully rolls his electric window down in traffic and shoves a crumpled dollar bill at a begging derelict, who will most likely spend it on further dissipation. This is not generosity of spirit. This is enabling a symptom of a selfish, bullying culture. It is a statement of condescension and superiority by the bully. It is of no sustaining help to the beggar.

I like to approach each day with the consciousness that I will have many opportunities to be generous in spirit on the subway, at the gym, in the street. I look for those opportunities. I have been doing this long enough as a practice, that opportunities present themselves to me constantly. My automatic responses often surprise me. There is nothing glamorous or grand about it. It is a rhythm in my life's melody.

Try to practice generosity of spirit today. The beginning is simple. Make eye contact and smile. The rest will follow quite naturally.