Generous: showing a readiness to give more of something, especially money, than is strictly necessary or expected The etymology of the word has evolved greatly over the millennia. Deriving from the latin word generōsus meaning of noble birth or well-born, in the 17th century it morphed into meaning nobility of spirit then in the 18th century into the liberality of giving money and possessions to others. In today’s world, generosity is about giving abundantly and freely. This week I was reminded of several different occasions of the sincere and genuine generosity of those within the wonderful network and community of the Professional Speaking Association. For generosity to work it requires two parties. Someone to give and someone to receive. This is where purpose comes in. When being generous, you feel a sense of fulfilment. There is no requirement for the favour to be returned as the act of being generous is reward enough. For me, generosity underpins all my work and incentivises me. I am generous with my time, energy, knowledge and money. It gives me a great sense of fulfilment and happiness to see how my generosity can impact others. Is generosity a driving force for you? 10 years ago, I volunteered for the Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games and as a Games Maker at the London 2012 Olympic Games. They were both incredible experiences and I loved being able to help ensure that both events ran smoothly. You can check out my thoughts as a volunteer at the School Games in this YouTube video at 1min 25 seconds! Two years ago, when I created Focus on WHY, I knew it would be my generous gift to the world during lockdown and beyond. An asset generously assembled for my audience to access 24/7 globally. Just like a free virtual audio library full of fabulous stories that people can listen to whenever they choose. Yes, it costs me a lot of my time, energy and money to produce but it is worth it knowing that people are receiving great value from all the episodes. Do you focus on generosity? To give to charity, fundraise or volunteer? Are you willing to give or share what you have with others or to support those in need in the world? Focus on Generosity!
ACTION POINT How will you be generous today?
Amy