Being able to give freely means not being so absorbed in one's own needs that it becomes impossible to look past them at who else is in the world and what they need. Not being absorbed in one's own needs is — even before any generous act happens — a relief. . . .
Generous acts are a relief because they connect. They are always in relationship. They can't be isolating.
— Sylvia Boorstein, Pay Attention for Goodness' Sake