Moral Question of the day - generosity
By laglen
@laglen (19759)
United States
October 31, 2010 4:49pm CST
Are you a generous person? With friends? Family? strangers?
[i]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generosity
Generosity is the habit of giving freely without expecting anything in return.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/generosity
generosity
gen·er·os·i·ty
–noun, plural -ties.
1.
readiness or liberality in giving.
2.
freedom from meanness or smallness of mind or character.
3.
a generous act: We thanked him for his many generosities.
4.
largeness or fullness; amplitude.
[/i]
There are a million examples of generosity in everyday life. One way that I try to be generous, I make soup on Mondays and Wednesdays at work to help increase business, yes I charge for the soup and my income has tripled on these days. There are times that people cant afford the four bucks so I give them some. I dont expect them to pay me later, just enjoy the soup. My generosity paid off (unexpectedly), most of these people now regularly buy soup from me. On days they can not afford it, I still give it to them. I dont like to see people go hungry. I prefer to give food rather than money.
What about you?
Do you ever give to pan handlers? Do you donate to charity? Are you a member of a church and volunteer? You can be generous with your time even if you have no money.
What are some ways you are generous?
Have you had anybody be generous to you lately?
4 people like this
11 responses
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
1 Nov 10
I think I'm a generous person, but my generousity is limited to the giving of my time. I do send money to a Lakota Sioux children's school in SD and I've even delivered clothes to that school (last summer). But for the most part, I just volunteer time. I don't have a lot of money to give... Clothes and things I don't use anymore go to the Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
2 Nov 10
I tend to give food also. Must be the "mother" in me even though I dont have kids. I cook all the time for dad. He gives me money to cover the food but it never coves it all and I dont mind. I make my own bread and give some away. I make jams and gave some away also.
I dont have any "time" to give to seniors or those in need but eventually I'll retire and then I'll have all the time to do that.
If I had money, I wouldnt mind giving some away to those in need.
Its very sweet of you to make soup twice in a week. Most people dont cook anymore and you provide them with a great homemade soup. Must be delicious too!! Food warms the heart you know, more than money can ever do.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
3 Nov 10
No, no, you tell them to buy MORE soup from you, take it home and give the wife a break!!
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
I do try to share the packed lunch that I have with my colleagues, whenever they seem to be hungry. Some of them would even say that they'll pay me back but, I really don't remind them about it. That's my way of generosity.
I guess, its not that I am expecting them to do the same to me but, it just seems better than I am the one being able to give others than me asking for things from them.
1 person likes this
@Gorillafootprints925 (3586)
• United States
31 Oct 10
I just don't have expectations in general. When I'm asked I only give when I can. I believe that without expectations there is no disappointment.
1 person likes this
@Gorillafootprints925 (3586)
• United States
1 Nov 10
That's cool vonmac. I might have said the same thing if you got here earlier.
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
7 Dec 10
Hiya laglen,
Afraid I am a bit too generous sometimes in most ways. Even if I have not got any money to buy presents they will get their presents in other ways like a special Dinner things like that.
Really I suppose there has to be a limit in being too generous otherwise you would have nothing left to give to others either.
So I usually spread it out well the money I mean and I give and do what I can.
Because things you do for other People counts as generosity. You give your love generously. Okay not all the time but if you don´t measure it you are giving your love to all those around you best kind of generosity as it costs nothing either.
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
7 Dec 10
Hiya laglen,
Right no question about it. When we give with sincerity and love from our Heart that does not cost a Penny. We could give in so many ways. I don´t know helping someone out who is having a hard time getting through the Day.
Letting them watch their favourite Programs when they have got the blues and you make them something to drink and eat this way they will feel loved too.
This is what I usually do anyhow.
@sender621 (14893)
• United States
1 Nov 10
I think i am more generous than most people that i know. It was just how i as brought up to be. I try to be generous with favors as well as time. I am generous with money when it is something I can afford to do. Generosity is kindness and kindness is caring.1 person likes this
@flaredust (728)
• Indonesia
1 Nov 10
I have a glad feeling if I can help people, not only people close around me, sometimes also a stranger, but if I want to help stranger I'm not one kind of easy handed people, you know what I mean, I'll "observe" first that person, is he really need to be helped or just begging a pity. Nowadays people too easy to ask other help, a beggar for example, on street I often see beggar whose actually still young & have chance to improve their life to a better level, but they just too lazy to get up & just begging other's pity for daily life. If that's the case I'll not help them or give them something.
1 person likes this
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
31 Oct 10
I'm generous to some extent. I'm also selfish to some extent. It depends on the person. A person who is generous in general doesn't choose who he's/she's gonna be generous with. In my case, i choose who i'm gonna be generous with.
1 person likes this
@lipstick2009 (1236)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
I admire you for all the things you did to help other people. You are an inspiration.
I can't remember i ever did some charitable works that could level up to what you have done.But I am sure in my own simple way, I did some to my friends, to a collegue, to a child, to a dog, to a stranger.Little things i did out of impulse and not expecting anything in return.
And yes, i just get surprised when somebody would help me exactly when i needed one.
I guess , you don't get your reward from the person u done good, but other people will return the favor.
Big times or simple ones, always gives us good feeling when we do good for others.
(^_^)
@rinfour (250)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
I do not really fancy myself as a generous person, but I regularly give old clothes to charity and I regularly visit an orphanage to take care of the children there. I also do not give money, I prefer to give them food or clothes. I believe it when people say that we shouldn't give the poor fish but we should teach them how to fish.
If I get enough resources and time, I plan to continue teaching children how to read and write. I did this back in college and I was really moved when the children listened in earnest unlike the children I taught in a private school.
I said I wasn't generous because I do get satisfaction in helping others. Like when I teach, I expect them to pay attention and hopefully apply what they've learned from me. When I give away my old clothes, it's a way for me to clean out my closet. so I still get something from it. :)
@sanjay91422 (2725)
• India
7 Dec 10
I am a bad example of a generous person. These days I find it difficult to give money to others. Sometimes it depends on my mood. I gave INR 50 to a child a few days back but that time I was not earning myself. I believe that you should be generous to those people who really need the help.
After joining the mylot I have become an advisor. I keep giving free advise to people but in that advise I always try to get my share. I think people should be generous to a limit, which is decided by the money in your pocket and the knowledge in your head.
