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Are you feeling off lately? Not feeling like you?

Want to feel good?

Try this joy tip: Actively seek a way to show generosity.

Yup. To improve your own life, give to someone else.

It’s impossible to stay stuck in your head when you are focused on giving.

Let me give you an example.

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About 10 years ago, I was alone in Indianapolis for a conference. It was early March and the long winter had finally begun to break. I soaked up the bright sun as I walked from my downtown hotel to the conference for 3 days.

One windy morning, I remember seeing a man in need across the street. He was sitting on the sidewalk, bundled up, watching the world go by from a doorway. I could only assume he was homeless.

I kept walking.

When the conference broke for lunch, I was relieved. The morning session had been challenging and my head was spinning, wondering how I was going to implement the knowledge. My plan was to walk to my hotel, clear my head, and warm up leftovers in my room.

And that’s when I saw him. The homeless guy. He was still there. Evidently, he had been in the same spot for hours.

I observed how people walked right past him without seeing him at all. It was clear that, in their minds, he did not exist. He had become invisible.

Heck, that same day, I had walked right past him.

The awareness broke my heart.

Simple, basic generosity welled up inside me.

I ducked into a sandwich shop.

Without hesitating, I bought two lunch specials with hot drinks and crossed the street.

I wanted to do more than give him a handout. This was about wanting to give him dignity.

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He looked up in surprise when I approached him and asked if I could join him for lunch. I sat down on the cold concrete and we broke bread together.

It was wonderful.

Within minutes, I knew his name was Jay, and I heard his story. He was clearly relieved to be able to share it with someone.

It turned out Jay was a chef and restaurant owner from another state who managed his money poorly. He lost everything, including his family. Unlike the stereotype we so often associate with the needy, he did not suffer from addiction. He moved to Indy in hopes of finding kitchen work, and a fresh start.

The whole time we talked, I intentionally looked into his eyes. It was important he knew he was seen.

I asked him gentle questions based on what he shared. Who knew the last time he felt heard?

I wanted him to know that he had worth as a human, despite his circumstances.

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We laughed, we shared, and we prayed. I’ll never forget it.

Meeting my new friend was a blessing and I hated to say goodbye. Even though I spent less than $20, the 60 minutes spent connecting on a human level filled my joy bucket to overflowing. It was a minimal investment that made my life infinitely richer.

I can only hope that it made Jay’s life richer, too.

I never saw him again.

I’ll be returning to Indy for a concert with my son next month. You can bet I’ll be looking for Jay. I hope I don’t see him on the street. My hope is that Jay is on his feet, using his culinary skills, living the life he deserves. I hope I don’t get to tell him I’ve been praying for him for years.

What does generosity look like for you?

If you’re not feeling like yourself – if you want to feel good, and we all do – offer generosity to someone else. People are in need all around you.

Slow down, open your eyes… who do you see? Can you hear their story? What might they need and how can you be just the person in a position to help?

Abandon the idea that you need to solve all of their problems. Accept the joy that comes with helping on a basic level.

And because joy is contagious, be sure to give it away.

Maybe your involvement will include money – we have all heard stories of paying for other people’s meals and medications – these are lovely examples of giving. If you are moved in this way, awesome! I recently read a story of a stranger buying a young woman’s wedding dress. Can you imagine?

The list is endless! Have fun with it. Giving in this way feels great.

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But here’s a fun fact: Your generosity may be just as valuable without any money attached.

The demanding lives that we live mean that time is in short supply. In fact, you might agree that time is our most valuable resource.

We can always make more money. Time, on the other hand, is nonrenewable. That’s why giving of your time is particularly generous.

I remember hearing a sermon years ago that really stuck. The message was that the best way to spell “love” is T-I-M-E.

I love that. I couldn’t agree more. ❤️

Think about how you can give love with your time. What would time-based generosity look like, given your day today?

Thankfully, as with financial-based generosity, the ideas for time-based generosity are limitless.

Pick something. Do it. Tell us what happened. And be sure to tell us how it made you feel.

Giving and receiving

The thing with generosity is, it’s all about giving what you have, without expecting anything in return… knowing, of course, that in giving, you will also receive.

Even if we have different faith backgrounds, I think you’ll appreciate these words on God’s love of generosity:

“Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

Malachi 3:10

So much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

My friend, if you are in a bit of a slump, let me encourage you to focus on others. Be generous and know the joy that comes from giving.

May you give until your joy bucket overflows.

It feels good to feel good. #feelgood.

Until next time,

PS: It’s wonderful that you are here! If you’d like more tips to feel great and live joyfully, be sure to subscribe to this newsletter. It’s free and comes right when you need it. Just click here.