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Bradford Keeney, Everyday Soul
Everything in life is a teacher with a lesson that is perfectly made for you during the time in which it is received. We are never given more than we can bear. Grace, the divine presence and generosity of spirit, befalls those whose hands are open to receive it.
We are never given more than we can bear
Lex Hixon, The Heart of the Quran
Remind your people that the deep human response for which Allah Most Merciful calls is the commitment to justice that transforms daily life into continual acts of kindness and generosity toward all persons, recognizing them as one intimate family.
Justice that transforms daily life
Anthony de Mello, Contact With God
Those who expect God to be generous with them must be generous with their fellows. "Give," says Jesus, "and gifts will be given you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; for whatever measure you deal out to others will be dealt out to you in return" (Luke 6:38).
If you are tight-fisted and calculating with the poor, the needy, with those who ask you for help and service, how can you expect God to be generous with you?
Those who expect God to be generous
Tara Bennett-Goleman, Emotional Alchemy
The energy of pride, at the neurotic level, looks like narcissistic self-absorption. The narcissist applies no limits or self-discipline, seeing himself as special, wallowing in the admiration of others, in ostentation, and in frivolous pursuits. Beneath the facade of pride lurks a sense of underlying shame or defeat. When transformed, this same energy transforms these fears into equanimity. This security allows an openness, an expansive feeling of plentitude, that encourages extending oneself generously to others, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
The energy of pride
Robert Aitken, The Morning Star
The dictionary definition of dana is charity or almsgiving — of goods, money, or the teaching. More generally, dana is the spirit and act of generosity. Its salutary effects are endless, and they multiple beyond measure at each point of renewal.
Dana is the spirit and act of generosity.
What Motivates Generosity?
We believe that the spiritual practice of generosity pulls out the spaces that separate people from each other. Many of the world's religions see it as the "mother of kindness." Buddha named generosity as the first of 10 qualities of the perfected mind. The art of serving and giving to others is its own reward.
An interdisciplinary team of faculty working with Arizona State University's Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict are exploring what animates Catholics and Muslims in Dublin, Milan, Paris, and Istanbul to be charitable to others. Does it stem from a sense of religious duty, a love of God or Jesus, or their feelings of being blessed and wanting to share with others?
We believe that the spiritual practice of generosity pulls out the spaces that separate people from each other. Many of the world's religions see it as the "mother of kindness." Buddha named generosity as the first of 10 qualities of the perfected mind. The art of serving and giving to others is its own reward.
An interdisciplinary team of faculty working with Arizona State University's Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict are exploring what animates Catholics and Muslims in Dublin, Milan, Paris, and Istanbul to be charitable to others. Does it stem from a sense of religious duty, a love of God or Jesus, or their feelings of being blessed and wanting to share with others?
Guaranteed Happiness
What do you think can guarantee happiness? A poem I read entitled "How to Be Happy" revealed a simple answer. It said, "Do something for somebody, quick!"
Now, you may think you have more problems than anyone else on the planet, so perhaps this answer seems like it wouldn't work for you. But if you first accept the fact that you are not the only one with problems, and then follow what the poem states, you will be surprised at the outcome. So "even if your earthly affairs are in a terrible whirl, do something for somebody, quick!"
When I think about how I can help others I feel a lot better than I do when I am dwelling on my problems. When I follow the advice in the poem and find others to help, I have noticed how many people start doing nice things for me in return.
So do something for somebody today and watch what happens in your life. Even small gifts of love like sending a greeting card or remembering someone's birthday can reconnect us with life and its meaning.
Solution of the Day: Do it quick!
Do something for somebody, quick!
Steer Clear of a Litany of Fault-finding
We should acknowledge virtues even in those whom we dislike, and do so without mentioning any of their bad traits. Many of us find this very difficult. When acknowledging a good quality of a person whom we dislike, we invariably follow it with a list of "buts," and often share a whole litany of complaints against the person.
We should make an effort to acknowledge positive traits in those whom we dislike, and force ourselves not to mention anything negative about them. After all, would we think it fair if someone acknowledged something good that we had done, but then described our weaknesses, faults, and all the things he or she did not like about us?
Acknowledging virtues in those we dislike.
What Could I Do with This Money?
If you are not chronically strapped for money each month, consider adopting the practice of tithing — that is, giving one-tenth of your income to a worthy cause. Compute what one-tenth of your monthly income is and seriously consider whether you could live without it. If you find that you could live without it, then ask yourself, "What could I do with this money that would help people in greater need than I am?"
Adopting the practice of tithing.
Doing Favors for Others
Doing favors for others is one of the essentials of true religiosity. The holy rabbi, Reb Kalonymus Kalman of Peasetzna, who, in the Warsaw Ghetto was the rebbe of hundreds of children, many of them orphans, would always teach them this, saying: "Children, precious children, just remember — the greatest thing in the world is to do somebody else a favor." (Heard from a great rabbi and tzaddik.)
It is a good practice to say, before doing a favor or an act of kindness for people, "I am doing this to fulfill 'and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.' " That way you elevate what might be a normal good tendency of yours by seeing it in its inner meaning.
Loving and honoring our neighbors.