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4. Show appreciation

Remember that gratitude is an important part of the equation. You should show your

appreciation for the generosity that is directed towards you, even if you feel shy or
uncomfortable. Resist the temptation to say things like, “This is too much” or “You

shouldn’t have”. Instead just say, “Thank you!” or better yet, let the person know
what their generosity means to you.

Benefits of Being Generous

The Dalai Lama famously said, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.’’
The same is certainly true for generosity! Generosity—the quality of being kind and

understanding; the willingness to give others things that have value—is often defined as
an act of selflessness. However, studies are now showing that generosity is actually acting
selfishly in your best interest. Practicing generosity is a mental health principle and it could

be the very key to a happy and healthy life.

If a longer, less stressful and more meaningful life is not enough to inspire you to practice
generosity, consider that generosity also promotes healthy social connections and improves
relationships. Being generous also makes us feel better about ourselves. Generosity is truly

the gift that keeps on giving. Each day life presents us with hundreds of opportunities to
be generous. By making a lifestyle out of generosity, we can do ourselves and others a world
of good.

A few ways students have been learning the virtue of generosity at school are:

1. Sharing without expecting something back or receiving applause.

2. Being generous in giving positive attention to others.

3. Learning how to share what we have.

4. Helping others—especially the less fortunate—with things they don’t have access to
and looking out for their needs.

Conclusion

According to Jason Marsh and Jill Suttie of the Greater Good Science Centre said, “When
we give to others, we don’t only make them feel closer to us; we also feel closer to them.”
This is because of being generous and kind encourages us to perceive others in a more

positive light and fosters a sense of community, a feeling of interconnectedness. Generosity
is both a natural confidence builder and a natural repellent of self-hatred. By focusing
on what we are giving rather than on what we are receiving, we create a more outward

orientation toward the world, which shifts our focus away from ourselves.
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