The Intersection of Gratitude and Generosity
I believe that gratitude and generosity form a virtuous cycle. One leads to the other, and they reinforce each other.
When I practice generosity, it leads to gratitude.
When I practice gratitude, it, in turn, leads to generosity.
Six Insights at the Intersection of Gratitude and Generosity
As I’ve reflected on the interplay between gratitude and generosity, six core insights have emerged. Let’s start with my relationship to things.
1. Generosity puts my relationship to possessions in perspective. When I give, it loosens my grip on what I think I own. It reminds me that I don’t ultimately “own” anything in the final sense. That I am not a consumer first and foremost. It helps me to identify as a giver.
2. Generosity makes me feel good. My parents taught me the importance of being generous early on – with my time, talent, and treasure. When I give, it feels good. The joy of giving is a little bit like a runner’s high. At the very same time, generosity takes work – let’s look at that next.
3. Generosity is a discipline. Giving is rewarding, but it doesn’t come easily, or even feel very natural, especially early on. It’s like exercising, or writing – once you commit and stick to it, as you develop the habit, it becomes more and more rewarding. It feels so good. But it takes work.
Someone asked me recently, “Do you like writing?” Honestly, I said not really – at least not the act of writing itself. I labor over words, and I get discouraged. And at times in life, I’ve wondered where I’ll find the time (turns out you have to make the time).
Writing is a discipline.
But I do find writing rewarding, and that sense of reward has only grown as I’ve written more. I write because I see things that I want others to see, and I want to help others. I now write 3-4 days a week, in the morning. I find it like when I was in college and trained to run the LA Marathon – the more I do it, the more I keep up the discipline, the more natural it feels, and the more rewarding it is.
Generosity is a discipline. And on the other side of the generosity is gratitude.
Above: I asked ChatGPT’s DALL-E to create an image that “illustrates the idea that gratitude and generosity form a virtuous cycle. I imagine something that shows gratitude and generosity complementing each other, reinforcing upon itself. I'd like to have something with fall vibes - leaves, colors, Thanksgiving.”
4. Gratitude gives me perspective. To me, gratitude is not about my circumstances. Gratitude is about seeing things to be grateful for in my circumstances. Charles Swindoll once said, “Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it.”
5. Gratitude blesses others. When I express my gratitude to others, it enlarges my heart, makes me feel good, blesses them, and strengthens our relationship. When my youngest daughter said to me, “You know, Papa, you are the best Papa in the whole world,” she made me more grateful. 🥲 Her gratitude warms my heart, and I can also see how it is shaping her heart as she expresses that gratitude.
6. Gratitude is contagious. When we convey gratitude, it catches on. Reciprocity is a powerful force for good. I used to hesitate to ask people for help. I thought, “I don’t want to inconvenience them,” or “I can do it myself.” But I’ve learned that asking others for help can be a gift to them, if done in the right spirit. And when I express gratitude in response, it leads to more gratitude.
Gratitude This Thanksgiving
As we approach Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for several things:
🙏 I’m grateful for my health.
🙏 I’m grateful for my family.
🙏 I’m grateful that I was born at this time in history.
🙏 I’m grateful for the role I get to play in inspiring generosity.
🙏 I’m grateful for YOU.
💡 Takeaway: Gratitude and generosity are more than complementary emotions – they form a virtuous cycle. One leads to the other, and they reinforce one another.
I’m grateful today. Have a great holiday weekend.
Until next week… Surf’s Up! 🌊
- Dave