It is selfish to be generous. We need to get that word out. The world needs so much more generosity and so much less greed. But the myth we live is that generosity hurts and receiving and hoarding our wealth feels good. Why is it selfish to be generous? Because it feels so good to give. It is a much greater feeling to be the giver than the receiver. My parents taught me that. They have perfected generosity. They simply glow with satisfaction everytime they do something nice for someone. They do something nice every day.
When I got old enough to imitate their gestures towards others I discovered they were right. Nothing feels better than to give of yourself. Giving is not always about money. One can be generous with one's time, one's humor or one's possessions. Just ask a lonely person in a nursing home if they would rather have an hour more of your time or a $100 bill.
My parents love giving things they've made themselves. If you are the proud owner of the hundreds of stained glass items my father has made over the years or one of the hundreds of beaded necklaces my mother has patiently crafted, you possess an item filled with the joy of generosity. I am absolutely certain that my parents experienced greater joy than the recipients of those beautiful hand-made gifts. I also believe that the joy of giving lasts longer than the joy of receiving. In a world that seems to breed selfishness and all of the pain it creates, we need spread the word that generosity is selfish.
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