Generosity Is Truly Your Best Friend

When people struggle to make ends meet, giving to others becomes a challenge. Shopping for the perfect birthday gift, perusing the boss’s daughter’s wedding registry, or picking out that special graduation gift creates heartache. With credit cards maxed out, and bank accounts stretched thin, so many Americans find themselves in a giving crisis.

There’s always great joy in giving, so when that privilege disappears, it’s easy to feel despair. Who do we become if we can no longer express our generosity?

The good news is, generosity is not always about money. Primarily, it’s about heart. Whether you’re rich or poor, there’s always something worthy you can give, and the best gifts, the unforgettable ones, come from the goodness of your heart.

E.F. Schumacher, author of the book Small Is Beautiful, said, ”The best aid to give is a gift of useful knowledge. The gift of material goods makes people dependent, but the gift of knowledge makes them free.”

Going further back in history, when Socrates received gifts from his pupils, his student Aeschines said, ”Nothing that I am able to give to you do I find worthy of you, and only in this way do I discover I am a poor man. And so I give to you the only thing that I possess—myself.”

Others who’ve lived through previous hard times often quoted this gem from Kahlil Gibran, ”It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding.”

In Youtropolis, we are all gift givers. Whether we post our knowledge or insights, give you a laugh through an amusement, add useful gifts to our Recycle Bin, send kindreds to your Municipal Fund, or encourage you in your endeavors, we are doing so unasked through our inherent joy of giving.

This practice of giving not only warms the heart, it also builds genuine community. We get to know each other. We experience life together. We discover we’re not alone in our struggles. We are bestowed with the gift of caring and friendship.

There is another saying: Receive no more than you need; give no less than you can.

An expensive gift is nice to have or give. But there’s no greater delight than giving or receiving a personal gift of love during a time of need. Such gifts are not easily forgotten.

Here in Youtropolis, we reward you for every gift you bring—be it a gift of wisdom, knowledge, skill, talent, time, a giveaway, or even your emotional support—it’s how your city’s Municipal Fund grows in value, and how you help others thrive.

Because you are unique, your innate god-given gifts have purpose and value. By taking time to share them, others benefit. If you’re thinking you have nothing to give, think again. Even one positive comment of encouragement could give someone the joy or hope they’ve long been waiting for.