Generosity of Spirit.

A few days ago, a friend of mine brought up a concept during a phone conversation. Funny how sometimes we hear something in passing and wow… it just hits the perfect spot.

He said something about “Generosity of Spirit,” and when I heard them, the three little words all strung together lit up like a warm Christmas light inside my heart. Then, they made their way to my mind and they have been swirling around there ever since, asking for attention, for exploration, for deepening.

Generosity of Spirit.

I know about Kindness or at least I know enough about it to try and spread it around whenever I get a chance. Buy a cup of hot cocoa for someone who is cold outside the grocery store.  Listen to the same story for the 5th time and try to stay present. Choose your words carefully. Help someone cross the street.

But this was not what he was talking about.

He was talking about something different, something that almost just … is. A way of being inside of us that does not necessarily need an audience nor a recipient.

I did a little reading on the topic, looked around to see if anyone else was as fascinated as I suddenly was about it.

I talked with a friend about it over breakfast.

I meditated on it.

And  I wondered - and still do - why it has grabbed on to me in such a non negotiable way.

Late at night, I read this: “People who are Generous Of Spirit are genuinely happy for others’ good fortune irrespective of their own circumstances.” This resonates. No small order, I see it being akin to the Bhuddist concept of Mudita, sometimes described as “sympathetic joy.” I may be poor and I may be sad but your wealth and happiness bring me great pleasure. Like I said, a big order but one which can make all the difference to our inner terrain. The opposite of envy, the ultimate joy killer.

I get this. And still. I sense that there’s more. There’s something big lurking.

As I continue to dance my way through this delicious exploration, I am finding opportunities throughout the days to ask myself what GOS would look like, in a given instance.

I visualize, too. I see it. GOS is large, not small. It’s open, not closed. It’s strong, not scared. It’s soft, not brittle.

It’s a Gift.

Then I wonder if one is born with Generosity of Spirit or if it can be developed. My breakfast friend reminds me about The Grinch and how its heart BAM! grew three sizes in an instant. I like that, but I am not 100% sure.

What I am sure of is that something has been turned on inside of me and that it is not likely to get turned back off soon.

• I learn that genuine GOS as a core root is not something that can be faked. No matter how kind an action looks from the outside, its root is what gives it its unique GOS flavor.
• GOS has no care as to how its actions look nor how it will benefit it. It does not tip the waitress to impress the date, it does not care ever if anyone is looking. It does not boast nor try to endear itself.
• GOS walks around the world doing its thing because it simply can not NOT do it.
• And then: I am an absolute sucker for Generosity of Spirit. Its light draws me like a moth. Away from it, I wither.

This is my exploration, right now. My not at all complete foray into what I sense was handed to me at the perfect time.

I would love to hear your thoughts about it.
XOXO