What a blessing it is that so much goes right, not wrong. Instead of lamenting that there was a long line at the grocery checkout, I shifted my thoughts to well stocked shelves with items I appreciated and human cashiers that know how to ring up produce that I would struggle to find codes for at the self-checkout. I asked the human checker what his favorite thing is to splurge on. He said whiskey and chocolate chip cookies with lots of chocolate chips. This led to a fabulous conversation about traveling to Ireland and a personal connection in less than 3 minutes.
Being open and speaking to a store employee provides an opportunity to interact and experience the unexpected with low risk. Here in our spiritual community where we already share abundant values there are also opportunities to interact with humans and experience the unexpected. Generosity has many dimensions: one of them is intentional inclusive connection. At every worship service and church event, you might choose to expand your circle of acquaintances, friends and family by setting an intention of being open and sincere and asking a question. What might go right?
By Caroline Haessly, Gratitude & Generosity