Okay, I thought I would give this another opportunity. I'm not sure how people find the time to twitter, blog, facebook, myspace and etc. Any way, I thought I would give blogging another month or so, before I choose to quit.
I've been thinking a lot about the recession that we are going through and all the rhetoric about taking care of self. In challenging economic times it’s easy to retreat to one’s comfort zone and focus on self and individual concerns. The reasoning goes something like this, “I’m pretty stressed right now. I need to take care of myself, my business and my family. I don’t really have time to give to others. I’m worried about my job. When things get better, then I’ll have extra (money, time, energy) to give back in some way.” The belief is that generous living comes from abundant resources, but the fact is that generous living occurs regardless of one’s circumstances.
While healthy limits are important, there’s a problem with the logic that we wait until we have excess before reaching out to others. Research in the area of positive psychology points to what many faith-based sources have been saying for years, namely, that focusing on one’s self does not produce the desired outcome of a peaceful heart and satisfying life. Not only does a “me driven” focus produce a poverty of personal spirit, but it also leads to poverty in the community in which one lives.
In this season of uncertainty, I would challenge all of us to strive to live a life of generosity. How can we ever pay it forward if we don't find ways to be generous with the little we have right now?
I hope you have a great day!
I've been thinking a lot about the recession that we are going through and all the rhetoric about taking care of self. In challenging economic times it’s easy to retreat to one’s comfort zone and focus on self and individual concerns. The reasoning goes something like this, “I’m pretty stressed right now. I need to take care of myself, my business and my family. I don’t really have time to give to others. I’m worried about my job. When things get better, then I’ll have extra (money, time, energy) to give back in some way.” The belief is that generous living comes from abundant resources, but the fact is that generous living occurs regardless of one’s circumstances.
While healthy limits are important, there’s a problem with the logic that we wait until we have excess before reaching out to others. Research in the area of positive psychology points to what many faith-based sources have been saying for years, namely, that focusing on one’s self does not produce the desired outcome of a peaceful heart and satisfying life. Not only does a “me driven” focus produce a poverty of personal spirit, but it also leads to poverty in the community in which one lives.
In this season of uncertainty, I would challenge all of us to strive to live a life of generosity. How can we ever pay it forward if we don't find ways to be generous with the little we have right now?
I hope you have a great day!
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