The Heart That Gives, Gathers !

by Sakhi Bansal

Generosity ! You do not have to be rich to be Generous! Even a beggar can be generous at times. Yes, you heard it right, he can be generous with blessings and gratification. The poor don’t know that their function in life is to exercise our Generosity. Being Generous is the habit of giving freely without expecting anything in return and doing all the good you can within your means in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, in times of need to people around you as far as you can. What can be given? I know the first word that comes in your mind’s eye is Money and the second would be most probably Food and then will come other materialistic things that usually cost us. But no one must have thought Time, Love, Affection, Smiles, Attention, the rarest and purest gifts one can give without spending a single buck and can give in abundance.The act of giving selflessly and unconditionally is the most satisfying act, it gives such immense peace and feeling of self-worth that no amounts of receiving can give.

Ever given a smile to a kid sitting on the kerb looking at you sadly, how his face lit up? He does not know you, neither he hopes to be benefitted by you in any way, just the gift of smile was enough o lift his spirits. Anything, when given freely, is exploited, and that’s our biggest fear, that we will be used for being kind. Some people are afraid of Generosity, they feel they will be taken advantage or oppressed. But in the true sense in cultivating generosity, we are only oppressing our greed and attachment, this allows true nature to come out and become lighter and freer. Generosity is often met with pride, as giving more than you can is being generous but taking less than you need is pride. The more you evolve and reach higher levels of conscious the more giving you become. There is evidence that the higher is the level of self-esteem, the more likely one will be to treat others with respect, kindness and generosity. Why ? Because they know how much it hurts when you can’t meet ends meet when you can’t provide your loved ones with the needful, and it makes them more compassionate towards others pain.

I had a hymn I read in school:

Whatsoever you do to the least of your brothers,

That you do unto me!

Whatsoever you do to the least of your Sisters,

That you do unto me!

When I was hungry, you gave me to eat

When I was thirsty, you gave me to drink.

Now enter into the home of your father.

When I was tired, you helped me find rest.

When I was worried you calmed all my fears.

Now enter into the home of your Father.

When I was lonely, to me you did speak.

When I was troubled, you listened to me.

Now enter into the home of your Father.

When I was homeless, you opened the door

When I was naked, you gave me your coat

Now enter into the home of your Father.

When I was laughed at, you stood by my side.

When I was happy, you shared my joy.

Now enter into the home of your Father.

It simply means that whenever you are generous to mankind, you are generous to yourself too, you get much more than you give, you get solace, comfort, gratification. Today, while standing in line at a store, I saw a little girl who asked for a candy bar. After saying “no” twice, her mother gave in. She paid, and as they walked away, the mum gave it to her daughter. The little girl stopped, turned around and handed it to a little boy who was crying in line behind us at the register. The mother asked her why she gave it to him and she said she heard the boy’s mum tell him they didn’t have money left for candy anymore until she can find another job. Such acts of kindness are often seen among kids as they have pure hearts and love to share and to give, their minds are free from the why and what for. We need to learn from such examples, give one fruit to a poor kid as you buy dozens for you family, but a cup of tea to the man shivering across the road, read something for a man who is uneducated. It won’t cost much but will earn you lot of self-worth.

Here are some steps you can take to channel your Generosity:

1. Consider the benefits of generosity. Like being happier.

2. Embrace gratitude. Count all the times who were treated Generously.

3. Start really small. Start with just 10 bucks a day.

4. Give first. Keep aside some amount for charity at the time of your paycheck.

5. Divert one specific expense. Like don’t smoke one day and use that to help.

6. Fund a cause based on passions. I support HelpAgeIndia, it’s my passion.

7. Find a person you believe in. Find the one most motivated by your support.

8. Spend time with people in need. Spend some time in orphanages at times.

9. Spend time with a generous person. Talk to the most generous person you know.

10. Live a more minimalist life. Just a tiny bit of abstinence from indulgence.

“The world’s most generous individuals have been revealed – and Bill Gates has topped the list. According to research compiled by Business Insider and Wealth-X, the Microsoft co-founder has a net worth of $84.2bn and has so far donated $27bn over the course of his lifetime.”

I think I have taken a lot of your time and said all that could be said. Remember, THE HEART THAT GIVES, GATHERS !!!