What is Generosity?

Generosity is THE most important virtue to practice

Generosity defines goodness. It is the act by which one person recognizes the value of another person or living thing. Every religion in the world calls for generous behavior by its believers. Generosity also defines sin or evil. These behaviors are simply the opposite of generosity!

Dr. Claire Gaudiani reminds what it means to be a citizen of the United States: “We pledge each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” Gaudiani spoke at United Way of Greater New Haven’s Women’s Initiative Breakfast on April 26, 2012, sharing inspirational stories of women throughout history who worked earnestly to make access to the rights promised in our Declaration a reality.

I have written about the centrality of generosity in various world religions here: Thinking about the Why of Giving. This isn’t about believing in the existence of God. It is part of what I call our ‘wisdom tradition’ in which good thinkers over the ages have advised on living a good life. It is smart behavior because it benefits giver and receiver.

…in travelling the world with Elie Wiesel, I realized that the question “why give?” really means “why love one another?”Claire Gaudiani

YOUR Generosity creates YOUR personal happiness

Generosity is the engine of happiness for the recipient AND the giver. This remarkable paradox makes generosity the most powerful action one can take to benefit ONESELF, as well as a friend, loved one, or fellow citizen.

Scientists have proven definitively that generous people are happier than those who are less generous. They report more levels of good health and general well-being.

Generosity is not a transaction

When you give something to someone, it is natural to expect something in return, even if it is no more than a ‘thank you.’ But generosity is not based on reciprocity. It is a gift of your self, an investment in the well-being of another, without strings attached. Giving a gift and receiving praise and recognition is better than not giving as all. But true generosity is invisible. It is a partnership with the recipient and both parties benefit equally. Find some wisdom on this topic here: Learning To Serve, Serving To Learn.

Generosity is a VERB

Generosity means…

SEEING the needs of others and of society in general

ENGAGING with fellow citizens to understand these wants and needs

COMMITTING yourself, your time, skills and money, to improving the well-being of others

ACTING. WHAT YOU DO WITH WHAT YOU KNOW (and have) is what matters. ( ref to CC programs)

Generosity comes in many forms

Money is not essential to generosity. I can also be generous with my time, talents and even my spirit. Generosity requires recognizing the needs of another person and acting to meet those needs to the best of one’s ability. Working to discover such needs is the beginning of generosity.

We associate generosity with large gifts by wealthy people. But most giving is done by regular folks with small donations of money and more often contributions of time and effort. For some remarkable stories about citizen generosity at the grass roots level, see these stories below: