Daily Question, December 25 How might I more fully embody generosity today? 33 Reflections Share Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. KC4 months agoKCI can more fully embody generosity today by setting an intention to embody generosity more consciously, authentically and fully day to day, and through the year. I appreciate many of the reflections here, that generosity is so much more than things. I can extend generosity both inwardly and outwardly, to include both self and other. I can accept that generosity has boundaries, limits, and requires thoughtfulness to do well. Sometimes it can and will go sideways, and that's ok! :-) ...I can more fully embody generosity today by setting an intention to embody generosity more consciously, authentically and fully day to day, and through the year. I appreciate many of the reflections here, that generosity is so much more than things. I can extend generosity both inwardly and outwardly, to include both self and other. I can accept that generosity has boundaries, limits, and requires thoughtfulness to do well. Sometimes it can and will go sideways, and that’s ok! 🙂 I am grateful that the December frenzy is through for another year, and that life is slowly returning to a more peaceful balance and flow. I hope to be more conscious and committed to generosity in the year ahead, along with a quest to embody love of both self and others, and a lived experience of what ‘enough’ looks and feels like. Read More0 Reply Blossom5 months agoBlossomLove for the sake of love, without asking for anything in return. 3 Reply Ose5 months agoOseBy feeding the birds outside in the crackling cold we have here today. By giving credit to the other. By smiling kindly from my heart to everyone I encounter, blessing their being here By caring, consoling if needed, by offering support, or some money if needed, by cooking for my loved ones, by calling the lonely, by just replying to what calls to be done or be said or be felt as a need. Not always easy, but I will try to give my best, to share my ❤️. 6 Reply mam_gigi5 months agomam_gigiToday, to embody generousity, I cooked a meal for my family even though I do not always enjoy cooking. I helped out with nephews and paid attention to them even though I sometimes get overwhelmed by them. To more fully embody generosity, I may need to focus on being positive in communication with my family members and keep my judgments to myself. 4 Reply Holly in Ohio5 months agoHolly in OhioI am aware that generosity is about more than things. On holidays sometimes families have little, unimportant squabbles, but generosity can overcome this, by yielding on things that are not really important, or by shifting some discussions to another day.If I stretch the meaning of generosity, it also includes calling people to say thank you or just to wish them a merry day. TIME for people, time listening, time telling someone we appreciate them, are often the greatest gifts we might give. 4 Reply Hermann-Josef5 months agoHermann-JosefI very much like to be alone. Today i desided to spend my time in giving musiclessons for free . Though tiring, it made is all happy 9 Reply Marnie Jackson5 months agoMarnie JacksonI can be generous in my assumptions of people’s behaviour. Christmas is a time of mixed emotions and often leads to us not being our best selves. Forgiveness for behaviour (for me included) as well as connecting with others about their emotions are ways that I can be generous today. 8 Reply Holly in Ohio5 months agoHolly in OhioI replied to the question before reading your answer, Marnie. We think alike. I hope your family has had plenty of harmony today and that it has been joyful for you. 3 Reply Nelson5 months agoNelsonI can’t wait to see my nieces and nephews today. Give them their Christmas presents. Make waffles together… Let them win at video games. (I think that’s really generous of me. lol) 6 Reply Holly in Ohio5 months agoHolly in OhioAnd sooooo hard to do. Lol! 3 Reply William5 months agoWilliamIt is a wonderful question to think about in a world that seems so busy. Stop, Look and Go! Peace to all! Merry Christmas to each of you. 5 Reply Holly in Ohio5 months agoHolly in OhioThank you, William. I popped in here a bit late today, but I hope you had a Merry Christmas, too. 3 Reply Carol5 months agoCarol"Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all." Oscar Romero On Christmas, I'm always drawn to a true story I wrote several years ago. I tend to share it each year at Christmas time and after reading Bishop Romero's quote above, I feel compelled to share it with you. If you don’t have time to read it today, please read it later this week. This story about Santa does not accent the giving of the material gifts we call Christmas presents but rather the spiritual gift...“Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all.” Oscar Romero On Christmas, I’m always drawn to a true story I wrote several years ago. I tend to share it each year at Christmas time and after reading Bishop Romero’s quote above, I feel compelled to share it with you. If you don’t have time to read it today, please read it later this week. This story about Santa does not accent the giving of the material gifts we call Christmas presents but rather the spiritual gift of being truly “present[s]” to one another. Through Santa’s Eyes Many years ago, when I was employed by a small market radio station, our entire staff had gathered at the local shopping center on Christmas Eve to kick off a remote radio broadcast. It was part of a civic project we had planned for that day. We would broadcast from the shopping center for three hours and then ride through the city streets on a flat-bed truck singing Christmas carols with stops planned at the local hospital, a rest home and the county jail. As we took to the air waves that afternoon, we extended an invitation to our radio audience to join us, advising them that Santa Claus was our special guest and he was looking forward to meeting and visiting with all the children in our community. Very soon, a steady stream of parents began arriving with their toddlers in tow. Some of the children were excited and eagerly approached Santa. Others were shy and a bit overwhelmed by this bigger-than-life figure in a red suit and black boots. As I watched, I noticed that Santa’s eyes clouded with concern whenever a child showed fear. Throughout the afternoon, I witnessed him lovingly but firmly counseling many of the young parents, explaining that no child should be forced to sit on his lap. His compassion for the little ones worked like magic. When given a choice, most of the youngsters forgot their fear and willingly approached him, accepting his invitation to crawl up on to his welcoming knee. He listened to their Christmas wishes; he laughed and played with them, gifting us all with his charm. At the time, I thought what a difference it would make if we could all see the world through Santa’s eyes. Late that afternoon, Santa joined us as we climbed aboard a flat-bed truck to embark on our caroling sojourn. Our first stop was the local hospital. The nursing staff greeted us warmly but advised us that most of the rooms were empty. Only the critically ill had not been released. We walked the halls singing Christmas carols, smiling and waving to the patients. Santa only entered a hospital room when the nurses indicated the patient was well enough for him to do so. It was apparent that our visit had raised the spirits of the nursing staff and we hoped as we departed that our visit had also raised the spirits of those who would remain hospitalized during the holiday season. With darkness setting in, we arrived at the local rest home. The elderly residents had just finished the evening meal and were assembled in a large dining area. As Santa moved among the wheelchairs and tables, their wrinkled faces broke into smiles and their withered arms reached out for hugs. They were not shy like the children at the shopping center but they were child-like, displaying a gracious vulnerability that only blossoms from the wisdom age fosters. As we prepared to depart, one of the female residents grabbed Santa’s hand, clutching it, with all her might. It was apparent she did not want him to leave. He patiently stood there, offering no resistance. It was as if he knew she needed to reach out; she needed to know someone cared. Finally, another elderly resident intervened. She stated matter-of-factly: “Santa, if you don’t pull your hand away, you’ll be here ‘til mornin’!” This prompted the lady holding him captive to look up into his kind and compassionate eyes. I can still see her face softening as she acknowledged his loving gaze. She hesitated briefly but finally loosened her grip. Santa appeared relieved, thankful that he did not have to engage in a tug-of-war. As we said, “Good-bye,” I marveled at the power love and acceptance can bring. Our final stop was the county jail. None of us had ever been to a jail on Christmas Eve and even wise old Saint Nick appeared to be having second thoughts. He was visibly nervous. As we entered the facility, I asked him if there was a problem. He replied, “Have you ever heard of Santa Claus visiting a jail on Christmas Eve?” I thought for moment and had to admit that I had not. “I doubt any one here still believes in Santa Claus,” he said. “This is the biggest hoax I’ve ever attempted to pull off!” I didn’t know what to say but in that moment, I felt tremendous compassion for him. I wondered how many times throughout the day he had struggled. How many times he had experienced second thoughts about how to handle a situation. I suddenly realized that filling Santa’s shoes, even for one day, was a challenging job. He audibly sighed as the prison guard turned the key that would admit us to the cell block. I caught his eye and shot him a reassuring smile; we both took a deep breath. My coworkers and I began traversing the cat walk, singing Christmas carols with gusto. Santa hesitantly brought up the rear. Sober and sometimes sorrowful faces greeted us; but when the inmates caught sight of Santa, their faces broke into smiles; they began to cheer, their arms reaching through the bars to pat him on the back or shake his hand as he distributed Christmas candy from his bag. Like a joyful toddler, one young man literally shouted out, “Santa, we knew you would come. We knew you wouldn’t forget us!” Emotions surged on both sides of the prison bars. Not even the hardened prison guard, accompanying us, could remain stoic. Santa’s visit seemed to mean so much to the men and women trapped behind physical bars and most likely some emotional ones, too. As we left the cell block, tears of gratitude and relief were streaming down Santa’s face. There had been many touching moments throughout the day but that night in a county jail, just like in that stable long ago, love was truly born. It would be a night to remember. None of us spoke as we left the jail. It was a holy silence which we all chose to honor. We piled our weary bodies back onto the flat-bed truck and headed for the shopping center parking lot to retrieve our cars. It was very late; the streets of our little town were dark and practically void of traffic. As we all walked across the deserted parking lot toward our vehicles, a lone mini-van sat waiting at the nearby stoplight. When the light turned green, the van sped into the parking lot, pulling up right next to Santa. The side door slid open to reveal two toddlers peering out at us in sheer wonderment. Their mom and dad were smiling with delight. They couldn’t believe it. Was their family actually encountering Santa in the flesh late on Christmas Eve? One last time, Santa reached into his bag of Christmas candy and handed treats to the spellbound youngsters, promising to visit their home later that very night. As the van departed, we all climbed into our cars and headed for home. I pulled into the driveway and turned off the car’s engine. I leaned over and lovingly kissed my husband’s cheek as he removed the bright red Santa hat and pulled off the long white beard. To this day, every year as Christmas rolls around, I remember that night long ago and I give thanks for the privilege of seeing the world through Santa’s eyes. Read More8 Reply KC4 months agoKCCarol, Thank you so much for sharing your story, as well as the Bishop Romero quote. It is such a beautiful reminder, just as you say, of the gift of presence which we all long for and need in our lives. I so appreciate your sharing this with our wee community! Warmly, KC 0 Reply Maurice Frank5 months agoMaurice FrankCarol, thank you for sharing your deeply moving and beautiful story. It brought tears to my eyes. 2 Reply Carol5 months agoCarolYou are most welcome. Thanks for reading it. 2 Reply Butterfly5 months agoButterflyWhat a wonderful story, Carol. Thank you so much for sharing 🥰 x 2 Reply Carol5 months agoCarolGlad you enjoyed it. It’s very dear to me. 2 Reply Holly in Ohio5 months agoHolly in OhioAs you suspected, I do not have time at the moment, but thank you so much for posting it! I look forward to reading it. 2 Reply Javier Visionquest5 months agoJavier VisionquestAll the blessings of the New Sun to you and your families. Merry Christmas and a Happy Yule! 4 Reply Holly in Ohio5 months agoHolly in OhioYou as well, Javier! 1 Reply Maurice Frank5 months agoMaurice FrankI am grateful for this question. Generosity is one of the values I want to strengthen. 4 Reply Michele5 months agoMicheleI don’t need to embody generosity more than I already do. Merry Christmas everyone. I wish you wonderful memories with your loved ones today and throughout the rest of the holiday season. 4 Reply Holly in Ohio5 months agoHolly in OhioYou, too, Michele! 2 Reply MEG5 months agoMEGMay the blessings of the season abide with each and every one of you. Merry Christmas 🙏❤️ 5 Reply Holly in Ohio5 months agoHolly in OhioMerry Christmas, Meg! 3 Reply MEG5 months agoMEG💝 2 Reply devy5 months agodevyBy focusing on the real reason why celebrate Christmas. By being grateful for everything we Have, the gifts given, the food and everything else in spite of how crazy the world is around us with covid.. 5 Reply Mary Pat5 months agoMary PatBy slowing down, and being aware of all around me. Simply by pausing…. May all be at peace today. May your day be filled with love and laughter. Merry Christmas and may that Spirit grow in each of us…. 6 Reply sunnypatti5 months agosunnypattiOpen heart. Open mind. Open arms. Share the light. BE the Light! Much love to everyone today and every day. We are going to celebrate Christmas with my family. May you all enjoy the day. Peace! 9 Reply Ed Schulte5 months agoEd SchulteResonate Deep heart felt Gratitude and Love to the source of Life and to this Day, no matter what appear to in opposition to Love and Kindness . Stay Safe ALL Word for the Day True gratefulness is courage to give thanks for a gift before unwrapping it. BR. DAVID STEINDL-RAST 8 Reply Carla5 months agoCarlaBy disciplining my thoughts to others, ie., how can I be of help to others and take that action versus internally asking “what about me?” Merry Christmas to all🕯🎄 6 Reply Kevin5 months agoKevinEmbodying a deep, inner spirit of generosity, never needing attention to itself, but is always there, quietly at work, natural as breathing, and unseen, is a life lived well and real. 8 Reply My Private Gratitude Journal Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal Get Started This site is brought to you by A Network for Grateful Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 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