What Does It Mean to Give Generously?❤️🌿

November 30, 2023

What does generosity look like?

Recently, my daughter was having a bad day.

In her state of overwhelm, she tends to tantrum and catastrophize. Everything becomes a problem, she complains about the simplest things, and nothing is right. It’s just what she does.

For years, I would push against her behaviors, judging them, resisting them, and trying to change them and her.

However, over time, (and by “time,” I mean years!) I have learned that the solution to a shift in her was actually a shift in myself.

This shift became my radical act of generosity.

I stopped judging her behavior and began looking more closely at what she really needed from me. My resistance to those moments wasn’t helpful or of service to either one of us. But my acceptance of what it is like for her to feel overwhelm in her body and my acceptance of the seemingly inevitable way she has learned to express it changed everything.

The more generous I became with my act of acceptance, the softer she became, and the sooner her overwhelm and tantrum would subside.

These acts of generosity look different on different days.

Rather than tell her, “It’s not a big deal, relax! I’ll just do it” or “I think you’re making a big deal out of nothing” or “Knock it off, you’re being so dramatic! Get a grip!” which were some of my old ways…

On this day, I stopped trying to move forward (even though we were in a hurry) and instead took a deep breath, put a smile on my face, literally imagined my heart opening, and said, “Yeah, I get it, that is so frustrating. I am so sorry, honey.” And I let her rant until there was no rant left in her.

Even though, from my perspective, she was making a big deal out of nothing, I now know that in those moments of overwhelm, in her body, it does feel like a big deal!

Within minutes, she was sitting down, giggling at her tantrum, and sharing with me what had made her feel so stressed and overwhelmed. Magically, at that moment, a seed of connection and trust was planted between us.

She learned that she can be herself and feel accepted by me no matter what. And I learned more about her. I got to know her better and understand what it is like to be in her body, mind, and life experience.

This is true intimacy.

In those moments of stress, exhaustion, and overwhelm, my daughter does not need lessons from me on how to behave; she needs me to be generous with my love, acceptance, compassion, and patience, so she can have the space to remember what it feels like to be in resonance with the vibration of LOVE.

To hold the vibration of love for one another when we get out of balance is a radical act of generosity.

It serves as a gift not only to the other but also extends its impact to the giver, resonating within the circle of those around them and outward into the collective.

Harnessing the power of generosity is a radical act of love for all.

In the Meditation Salon this Sunday, we will plant a seed of true generosity in our hearts and minds.

This seed offers the potential to change not just ourselves, but also those around us. I hope you will join me. It is my last live meditation of 2023!

If you are not already a member, please register here.

With gratitude,

Annmarie Chereso
Author, Speaker, Coach, & Meditation Teacher