21/12/2023
A Mindful Advent Day 21:
The practice of generosity seems to go without saying at this time of year. We are all doing it, right? Buying gifts for one another, opening up our homes to family, making donations to charity, and calling elderly relatives we haven’t spoken to for a while.
But when it comes to mindfulness, generosity is considered a ‘quality of mind’ that can be nurtured and developed through our practice, and to support our practice.
We begin by practicing giving ourselves some important gifts: self-acceptance, patience, kindness and some time off each day to simply ‘be’. Can we develop an attitude whereby we feel truly deserving of these gifts, truly deserving of our own generosity?
And then we can begin to offer this generosity out to others. So, we are not simply sharing material gifts, possessions or money (although this can be very uplifting too) but we are sharing something of our best selves: our acceptance, our patience, our kindness and our time. These gifts can be given in many simple and creative ways, reflecting the needs of different people and different situations. We give in ways that honour our own capacity but also notice where and why we resist.
Have a go today: Can you give yourself the gift of some quiet time today? As you go about your daily tasks, can you approach them with an attitude of self-acceptance, patience, and kindness? Consider in what small and simple ways you might offer others these simple gifts this Christmas too.
