The Importance of Generosity

<p>Welcome to the first of a two-part conversation about essential pillars of happiness that are often glossed over as sort of “spiritual practice 101.” </p><p><br /> </p><p>This week we’re going to talk about <strong>generosity</strong>, and why it’s so important to us feeling content, and even joy.</p><p><br /> </p><p>The first place I bought on my own was a cute little cottage in Ashland with an amazing backyard and a little sauna tucked away in the trees. At the time, the guy I was dating noticed that people were cutting through my backyard, and he was kind of freaked out about it.I told him that they were friends who I had invited over to use the sauna any time - without having to ask me beforehand. Being a very private person, he thought that was weird.</p><p><br /> </p><p>And often, when I would see my friends in my yard, I’d holler an invite to stay for dinner..</p><p><br /> </p><p>I really miss those times, when I had the time to double a recipe for a spontaneous dinner party, or to walk by a friend’s house and stop by for some tea. Having this space of time and energy also meant I had more for helping others, noticing others, and showing up in a way I was proud of.</p><p><br /> </p><p>It seems that these days we all need more of that - the time and patience to be kind and generous. But when we’re caught up in our own busy-ness, just trying to get shit done, we aren’t as available to those who need us. To opportunities to be kind and generous.</p><p><br /> </p><p>Ideally, when we’re generous, it’s because we find joy in it, not because we’re “supposed” to be generous. When we do this, it helps us not be so caught in a separate sense of self, and gives us so much freedom.</p><p><br /> </p><p>Some of us might think that generosity is something we learn as we age,  but cultivating generosity isn’t a new skill. We’re actually nourishing something that’s there in us as children, where there’s the root of generosity and inner abundamce that later gets pushed aside..</p><p><br /> </p><p>I remember when my daugh