One encounters many different people in life and I have recently become fascinated by the completely different experiences that those who are generous have when compared with those who are mean.
I am not just talking about financial or material generosity, although that is clearly part of it, I am also thinking of those who are generous with their time, their skills and knowledge. As well as those who are generous enough to really take pleasure and delight in the success and achievements of others.
Generous people are a pleasure to be with. Time spent with them brings life and energy and an increased sense of well being. Time spent with those who are not generous so often has the opposite effect.
Those who are in the habit of giving generously also tend to be people who are quick to express their gratitude to others. I have noticed that people who tend to hold onto what they have and do not approach life with a generous spirit are slow to be thankful, grateful or pleased for others. Being generous comes at a personal cost which those who practice generosity would be aware of and I suspect that it is this knowledge that results in their gratitude and thankfulness when they receive generous gifts from others.
It is said that the best things in life are free but I disagree. I think the best things in life come from those with generous spirits, who don't count the cost of their generosity, those who give willingly and receive thankfully. Things of real value in life do require an investment of time and effort and while these things are often without monetary cost there is personal cost with choices having to be made about how to spend time and resources. Think about friendships, family relationships, knowledge, skills, fitness - all of these things require an investment of time, energy and sometimes other resources.
I think that most worthwhile things come at a price, they cost someone something even if they cost us nothing to receive and enjoy.
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