Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You're only a stranger once.

October 16, 2008

Generosity Is a State of Mind

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:35 am

a_daisy

When I was 12, my six cousins moved one state south of Illinois. They didn’t want to leave the town where we were all growing up, as they prepared to go we started saying they were moving to the State of Misery (the fair state of Missouri). Then they settled in, made a new life, and I found myself in a new state — the State of Miss-ery.

Since that time, I’ve always been curious about “states of mind.”

This week, generosity has been the theme. People have given their time and their words to help bring attention to folks living in poverty.

Ever seen generosity?

It’s a child offering a flower because flowers make people smile. It’s grandfather picking up a granddaughter because holding her high is good for who she will be. It’s a teenager helping a stranger.

It’s giving unconditionally. It’s an offer of humanity with no strings inside. Generosity looks the same as doing our duty, but it feels like living up to who we are.

Generosity is a state of mind. It’s an open heart answering an unsent call.

Generosity doesn’t have to be an overt action.

It’s listening. It’s accepting. It’s taking time . . . giving time . . . taking time to give. Generosity is part of connection with any other human being. It’s valuing ourselves by valuing everyone around us.

Can you see how it’s generous to connect?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

Get your best voice in the conversation. Buy my eBook.





Filed under Motivation/Inspiration, Successful Blog | 10 Comments »




C'mon. Let's talk!

10 Comments to “Generosity Is a State of Mind”

  1. October 16th, 2008 at 6:55 am
    Karin H. said

    Hi Liz

    Thank you for this. Right on target for my mood today ;-)
    (Lunch-meeting, should tell you enough)

    Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

  2. October 16th, 2008 at 8:15 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Karin!
    Glad my timing is working for you. :)

  3. October 16th, 2008 at 8:15 am
    Karin H. said

    Yes, very generous of you ;-)

    Karin H

  4. October 16th, 2008 at 8:22 am
    Karen Putz / DeafMom said

    The generousity that I saw yesterday from Blog Action Day was amazing. This morning, I learned another blogger was inspired to raise funds for the Lions Club as a result of Blog Action Day. When you give, the giving keeps on going. :)

  5. October 16th, 2008 at 8:51 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Ah, Karin,
    Put it out there. There’s always someone who can use it. :)

  6. October 16th, 2008 at 8:52 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Yeah, Karen,
    I saw lots of folks being generous yesterday. I hope they don’t lose the feeling. :)

  7. October 16th, 2008 at 10:53 am
    SpaceAgeSage -- Lori said

    Generosity seems to have a power of its own, doesn’t it? — like the ripples on a pond.

  8. October 16th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
    Jannie said

    I often pick up street trash and chuck it in the nearest bin, makes me feel all warm and glowy to do so.

  9. October 16th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
    Amy Derby said

    What a beautiful post. It’s interesting to me that you talked about the child, because I was telling someone this morning that I think little kids have the whole generosity down right — because selfless giving comes naturally to them, like breathing — and we have a lot to learn from them.

    At the resale-for-charity shop this morning, there was this little girl with very big eyes. The kind of eyes you can get lost inside. She and her mom were in line to buy her a “new” dress, which the little girl was VERY excited about. Behind them in line was a woman who was standing at the bread stand trying to decide which free bread she would pick with her purchase (because every purchase comes with a bag of bagels or something donated from the bakery). The little girl was talking up a storm to this woman (being all excited about her new dress), and the woman asked her if she should pick a danish or some bagels. The little girl said “Mommy, can this lady have one of our bagels so she can have breakfast AND desert?”

    It was the sweetest thing.

  10. December 2nd, 2008 at 1:20 am
    Imperfect Action » Blog Archive » The Meaning of A Family said

    [...] Generosity Is a State of Mind 1 December 2008 in Personal Development | tags: Family, Giovanna Garcia, Imperfect Action, inspirational, Personal Development, self help [...]

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

C'mon Let's Talk!