Day 11: Generous Spirit

"Mary Bea, your mother and I would like for you and Malcolm to join us in Park City next fall. You have put a lot of energy into those kids. After you take them to school, you are going to need a break."

Listening to Dad's generous offer, I wasn't sure I could accept. So much was up in the air, it seemed difficult to make any plans, even exciting ones. Thankfully, he persisted and I am clicking at the keyboard with a spectacular view of the mountainside beckoning me to come out and play.

The morning after our arrival in Park City there was a knock on the door. One of the hotel staff handed Mom a note. It was a "thank you" signed by every member of the front desk staff for a box of truffles Mom and Dad had given them. "Why did you give them truffles?" I asked. "Before we got here, we called ahead and asked for a nice room since we will be staying for a little while. They went to great lengths to help us. We just wanted to thank them for the extra effort." Dad replied.

Earlier this summer, Kiki had called Mom and told her, "Grandma I am so tired from all the end of the year busysness and college decision stuff, can I come stay with you and just hang on the beach? I don't want to do a lot, just get away." Mom agreed and when Kiki arrived at their home she was assured that she had no obligation to spend time with her grandma and grandpa unless she wanted. She could read in her room, lay out on the beach, do whatever she needed to take care of herself. As any grandparent knows, this was no small gesture since time alone with those grandchildren is precious indeed.

I am grateful for the generosity my parents have shown me and others throughout the years.

We all know people who embody a generous spirit. Those of generous heart take the time to consider, what it is another might want and need; give thanks for the generosity of others; and offer their gifts without expectation of anything in return.

Today's exercise toward renewal is two parts. You may wish to do only one or both.

Part One: Take a few moments and reflect on a time when someone touched you deeply with their generosity. What is it about the gesture and the person that moved you? How did you benefit?

Part Two: Consider someone in your life that you would like to reach out to in the spirit of generosity. What might this person need or want most in this moment? Can you give freely, with no strings attached? If so, take the time to connect with the generous spirit within you and joyfully offer your gift. Namaste