Ch.191 Three Acts of Generosity Help Me Feel Hopeful
March 2023
Yesterday began with worry. Two days ago, Levi, my elderly collie, temporarily lost the ability to jump. He wandered around looking confused, trying to convince his back end to leap onto the couch or bed. But nothing happened. He looked at me for help but growled when I tried to lift him. Confused, in pain, he told me to stay away. He’s been diagnosed with hip dysplasia, and his condition had suddenly worsened.
[Added note: Levi regained his jumping ability a few days later. Ironically, now I’m the one who can’t jump – I’m having a round of hip bursitis.]
I went to breakfast with friends after feeding Levi a meatball with a pain pill inside it (Levi loves meatballs. I love making them for him). That went well, but when I came home, I discovered a message from my friend Marie asking where I might be, as opposed to meeting her at another restaurant. I had forgotten our meeting. And that’s when the day’s first act of generosity occurred.
Just as I tried to reach her, Marie knocked on my door. She had become concerned I might be in trouble as I now live alone. Marie drove several miles out of her way to make sure I was ok, and then she stayed to talk as if that had been the plan all along. Marie’s graciousness was truly a generous action, helping me remember that everybody screws up from time to time and kind people accept that reality and move on.
Marie and I talked about our pets, both living and deceased. Then we discussed my hobby, colored pencil drawing. Marie mentioned that she had once drawn a lot and that she would like to get back to it. That gave me a chance to do something nice, namely give her a handful of colored pencils to encourage her to start drawing again. That was a small act of generosity on my part, the second act of the day.
Later that day, I dropped Levi off at his day care place (we struggled to get him in the car, but he did allow me to lift him). Then I drove to Azura, Pat’s memory care center where I have been volunteering. After saying hello to several residents, I mentioned to John, the center’s technician, that Levi was hurting. He immediately offered me a staircase he had built for his dog with hip dysplasia, now passed away. I’m going there today to pick it up. If I could train Levi to use it, he would once again be able to get off the floor. And that was the day’s third act of generosity.
There is a lot of research indicating that performing acts of generosity helps people feel better about themselves (and, I’m guessing, more optimistic about the world). And, for me, receiving someone’s generosity (behaviors or words) also creates positive feelings, including a sense of connection with the world. Generosity builds trust, too. So, I’m about to head off, with Levi, to pick up his new stairs, full of hope and gratitude.
March 2023
Yesterday began with worry. Two days ago, Levi, my elderly collie, temporarily lost the ability to jump. He wandered around looking confused, trying to convince his back end to leap onto the couch or bed. But nothing happened. He looked at me for help but growled when I tried to lift him. Confused, in pain, he told me to stay away. He’s been diagnosed with hip dysplasia, and his condition had suddenly worsened.
[Added note: Levi regained his jumping ability a few days later. Ironically, now I’m the one who can’t jump – I’m having a round of hip bursitis.]
I went to breakfast with friends after feeding Levi a meatball with a pain pill inside it (Levi loves meatballs. I love making them for him). That went well, but when I came home, I discovered a message from my friend Marie asking where I might be, as opposed to meeting her at another restaurant. I had forgotten our meeting. And that’s when the day’s first act of generosity occurred.
Just as I tried to reach her, Marie knocked on my door. She had become concerned I might be in trouble as I now live alone. Marie drove several miles out of her way to make sure I was ok, and then she stayed to talk as if that had been the plan all along. Marie’s graciousness was truly a generous action, helping me remember that everybody screws up from time to time and kind people accept that reality and move on.
Marie and I talked about our pets, both living and deceased. Then we discussed my hobby, colored pencil drawing. Marie mentioned that she had once drawn a lot and that she would like to get back to it. That gave me a chance to do something nice, namely give her a handful of colored pencils to encourage her to start drawing again. That was a small act of generosity on my part, the second act of the day.
Later that day, I dropped Levi off at his day care place (we struggled to get him in the car, but he did allow me to lift him). Then I drove to Azura, Pat’s memory care center where I have been volunteering. After saying hello to several residents, I mentioned to John, the center’s technician, that Levi was hurting. He immediately offered me a staircase he had built for his dog with hip dysplasia, now passed away. I’m going there today to pick it up. If I could train Levi to use it, he would once again be able to get off the floor. And that was the day’s third act of generosity.
There is a lot of research indicating that performing acts of generosity helps people feel better about themselves (and, I’m guessing, more optimistic about the world). And, for me, receiving someone’s generosity (behaviors or words) also creates positive feelings, including a sense of connection with the world. Generosity builds trust, too. So, I’m about to head off, with Levi, to pick up his new stairs, full of hope and gratitude.