Day 5: Brainstorm Generosity

The work this week is to define and set intentions for cultivating the habits of love, at your own growing edge.  Today we will give attention to generosity, the habit of being open-hearted and open-handed with any undertaking that involves a commitment of time, effort, and/or money.

When we are generous, we share what we have freely - money, food, help, or time- without expectation of reward or return. We put full effort into looking after people. We are open-minded, give people the benefit of the doubt, and grant them our attention and life force. We are of service to the world.

Generosity begins in your heart. It requires extravagant love and alertness to other’s needs. It also requires courage, in order to step outside of your comfort zone and be generous to all kinds of people. Consider your growing edge with respect to generosity: How can you increase the flow of blessings in the world? You might need to push past feelings of reluctance and fear to a place where generosity is spontaneous and fun. Or you might need to get creative with generous acts that fit into your schedule.

(Please note that generosity is not a habit that has come easy for me! I am not by nature an openhanded or open-minded person; I like to hold onto my marbles, and I don't "suffer fools", as they say. But I've worked at this habit for a long, long time, and can attest to it being learnable.)

Take out your Love Journal:

• First review conversations and interactions you had yesterday, and your general frame of mind with the world.

• Next, think about the people you will see today, and the conversations you may have. Make note of times when you might need to draw on any of the love habits, and generosity in particular.

• And then answer these queries:

-How can I be more generous of spirit in my everyday conversations and interactions?

-What do I have that I could share - money, help, or time? How can I use my natural talents to express love and care for people?

-What is my role in the world around me? How can I be of service? How can I grow?

• Brainstorm some small generous acts you might do this week, as practice, that will challenge your growing edge. Also, imagine a time in the future when you have limitless time and resources to serve, and brainstorm a list of bigger actions you could take someday to help your community and your world. Add these to your Month Map or your Inspiration Page. 

• And end with a 5-minute Love Meditation. Send the "pink light of love" to those you wish to be generous with. 

Schedule your next week, Step 1:

• Thursday - Adjust your Priority Grid for the month: Check off what you have completed, add new items you have thought of, and move anything down lower that no longer fits.