May 5, 2008
The Gift of Generosity
Flowing out from you and me
Dear James,
This is just me this week, no quote, no spiritual teachers, just me
thinking out loud and inviting you along for and into the conversation.
[I do talk to myself some times and this is one of those times. ]I pose
this question -- your "homework" for the week -- as a way to encourage
generosity of spirit, attitude, and outlook. It comes, filtered through
my memory and my notes from a lecture at last year's Sitka Symposium
sponsored by The Island Institute and faculty member, Rina Swentzell.
Generosity
Rina posed this question while speaking of generosity toward the
landscape in which you live and the people with whom you share that
landscape. You will notice the question presupposes that those answering
the question actually are generous.
"How does generosity come through me and flow out again into the
community?"
There is a prior question that can be very helpful as you answer the
main question: "How and where do you get filled with generosity? What
are the mechanisms by which your spirit is filled? Who are the people
who offer this gift to you?" Once you get a hold of this, have a handle
on where it comes from (God, grace, mercy, love, forgiveness ---) you
have a better idea how it flows through you into the world around you.
You smiles, your laughter, the gifts of your heart, teaching a child to
read, singing a song, visiting the sick --- ! Now you can fill in more
blanks and you have all week to play with this.
Yeah, I know. I Changed my mind.
I needed, for my own sake, to get back to writing from my heart and
not replying on someone else's words. That's why I began this weekly
email in the first place, to share my self with those who wanted to come
along for the ride.
Next week: more thinking out loud about HOPE, inspired by our Alaska
Synod Assembly Bible leader from last week, Dr. Barbara Rossing.
Peace and Blessings,
Jim |
|
Subscribe
Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
Sample 4 |