Generosity is a Balm
|
Hello Friends, This week, I'm thinking about scarcity and generosity and how those two things are often set up in opposition. That's partially true, of course. On the large scale, a lack of generosity creates scarcity, as wealth and resources are hoarded by a few. However, it is often those with the least who are the most generous of all. This is reflected in the old quip about poor people passing around the same twenty dollars. Sometimes one person's need is greater in the moment, and the other person has a bit more to spare. I'm thinking right now about my friends in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, dealing with hurricanes. I'm thinking about the people around the globe who don't have clean water, or ready access to food. I'm thinking about all of those impacted by missiles and bombs. You might be one of those people. I'm also thinking of the scores of people showing up to help, including some who barely have homes right now. You might be one of those people, too. The human impulse toward generosity is strong. Generosity is a form of deep caring. Generosity—sharing what we have—is a balm for heart and soul. Generosity connects us to the flow of creativity and life. When we unclench our hands and hearts, we connect. In my experience, that sense of connection always creates something worthwhile. The more centered I feel, the less anxious and in the grips of scarcity I feel. The more open I feel, the more generous I become. When I'm closed off from generosity, there is usually some underlying fear. How does that work in your life? What is your experience of tension and flow? What is your relationship to scarcity? What unlocks your generosity? And how does that make you feel? I'm talking the smallest acts of generosity: Holding a door for someone. Offering a listening ear. Buying someone lunch if you can afford it. Sharing skills or resources with neighbors and friends. This week, whether you are giving or receiving (or both!), I wish you some generosity, and a balm for your heart. Best wishes — Thorn News:For the month of October, 50% of proceeds from ThornCoyleBooks will go to hurricane relief. That includes my oracle deck and ebooks. Love cats in fiction? I'm part of a pay-what-you-can ebook bundle that starts at $5. A percentage goes to Best Friends Animal Society. There are ten books in this marvelous bundle: Cattitude StoryBundle
|
T. Thorn Coyle
Hello friends, It’s the first of August, which in parts of the Northern Hemisphere is considered a time of first harvest. This varies by region, of course, and has been affected by climate change as well, but I always pause at the beginning of August to ponder life, and wealth, and the fruits we share. I reflect on my personal harvest and make time to thank all those whose labor keeps us fed.* Our household garden is filled with squash and cucumbers planted by my partner, and radishes the...
Hello friends, Are you struggling? Are you happy? Anxious? Overwhelmed? Courageous? Frantic? Disengaged? Do you have enough food to eat? A safe place to sleep? Friends? Connections? Work? Books? Music? Hobbies? Do you have enough to share? It’s that last one I return to, whenever times feel hard. Do I have enough to share? The answer, thankfully, is always yes. Now, I don’t have everything to share. I don’t always have the time and energy random people may want from me. And I only have so...
Hello friends, While vending at Punk Rock Pride last month, something on the pebble dash sidewalk caught my attention. It was a safety pin. I smiled, because safety pins are a hallmark of old school punk. They were a way to keep clothing together even if you didn’t know how to sew. Safety pins were handy for attaching patches and badges to jackets. Best of all? They lacked the respectability of neatly mended clothes. Safety pins could also be seen to represent the fierce way community holds...