“The aim of generosity is twofold, or else it’s an incomplete experience. The first aim is to free our minds from the conditioned forces that bind and limit us. Craving, clinging and attachment bring confinement and lack of self-esteem. If we’re always looking for some person or thing to complete us, we miss the degree to which we are complete in every moment ….. We also practice generosity to free others, to extend welfare and happiness to all beings, to somehow – as much as each of us can – lessen the suffering in this world …. ” Sharon Salzberg
Something I’ve been pondering this week is “What is true generosity.” Generosity in every sense of the word.
As Christmas & the holiday season approaches the whole concept of giving comes to mind. I love spending time choosing and buying presents for my family and friends. I love taking time to think what would each person really like, wrapping the presents and making gift tags. Of course I like getting presents too, but I love sitting back on Christmas Day and watching peoples’ faces as they open their gifts. Now that I have a 2 1/2 year old niece, it has been even more special, watching it through her eyes.
Yesterday my Mum told me that this year my brother and sister-in-law want us to all buy only one present, for one other member of the family. My first thought was that seems really selfish, ie my sister-in-law’s mother is buying a gift for me, when I imagine she would really like to buy a gift for her own daughter. To me it negates the whole idea of giving gifts, taking the time to choose something special for each member of the family. It’s not a matter of money either, we don’t spend that much on gifts.
I’ll admit, somewhat begrudgingly, I’m going along with the idea. I realise I will just have to change my idea of generosity this Christmas. I may not be giving presents, but instead I will be giving the gift of time & a stress-free Christmas to my brother & sister-in-law.
The holidays can become complicated. Often because of our expectations of what it should be like. This season lets try and let our expectations go, and really consider what gifts we really want to give the people we love. As the saying goes, it is the thought that counts. What is our intention. Is it to buy something flashy that shows how much money we have? Is it to satisfy our own needs? Or is to gather together, celebrate the season and have lots of fun & laughter with those we love and create new holiday memories.
Thanks to Susan for reminding me about generosity, and for sharing the words of Sharon Salzberg.
