Continuing the theme of widening the abundance circle from yesterday, I remembered another way I’d done this when the recipients were not only strangers to me, but would remain so even after sharing abundance with them.
In December, amongst the increase in mailers and holiday adverts that can take over our email in boxes and our snail mail boxes, I received a letter from my Homeowner’s Association. In it were two envelopes, and the names of two individuals identified as the garbage removers in the neighborhood. We were asked to send a small donation of appreciation (tip) to recognize their work throughout the year.
Per my usual protocol when triaging mail, that letter and two envelopes went into a “get to it later” pile and I forgot about it until after the holidays when I was sorting through that pile in January. “Oops” I thought as I’d realized I never sent anything. I proceeded to write two small checks to the names listed. I wrote “thanks” in the memo section of each, then placed them in separate envelopes and put them in the mail.
Sometime in February, I noted a deduction from my checking account. One of the individuals had cashed the gift! Even though we never met, I had a sense of connection and widening of abundance. It made my day better, to know that someone received a gift from me and hopefully felt seen and appreciated.
Repeat same, in March. The second small check was finally cashed, again by someone I have never met. And again, I felt that sense of connection and hopefulness, that the person on the receiving end felt appreciated.
I have been told by people who know me, that I am generous. And by definition, perhaps that is true. I give when I want to, not because I have to. I also give with no strings attached. But there is a key component of self service that is part of my generosity, and that is how great I feel, when I share. I love that it may make someone else’s day better, but also I do it for myself. The more I give, the more abundance and connection I feel.
So perhaps I am generous. But it’s a way of taking care of myself, too. Sometimes I wonder: “If there was always more to give, how much would I share?” So far, my generosity has only Blessed me with more abundance. If I “run out” of abundance, I may have to change my stance. But for now, I maintain that generosity and widening the circle of abundance is as positive and powerful an act for me and my spiritual economics, than it is for the intended other even if we never actually cross each others path.
Check out “Spiritual Economics” by Eric Butterworth and David Miller for more on this topic.