Sometimes a problem isn’t really a problem but the solution in disguise.” – Richelle E Goodrich
Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways it can change someone else’s life forever – Margaret Cho
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
At this time of the year, I am remined of the ultimate example of an act of Generosity given freely so many years ago. Generosity can mean any number of things to different people, but essentially to practise generosity is to unselfishly give freely of yourself and the resources that you have at your disposal in a meaningful and sacrificial way, without expecting anything in return.
We are by our very nature inherently selfish and prone to looking after our own interests, and wanting to hold on to what we have, but often our own interests, and the interest of those with whom we live in a community scheme may coincide. One speaks of generosity in spirit, generosity in giving of our time – it is a lifestyle more than single unrelated actions.
Through practising generosity as an intentional act, we can make a difference to individual lives, and to see a transformation in the society in which we interact and operate, especially as generosity usually requires some form of self-sacrifice on our part. This involves the giving of our time, of our experience and learning, of our resources, and of our talents.
Living generously is living each moment gratefully, without expecting anything in return, offering to serve others using the gifts and advantages I have been given and developed over time, and so to seek to make a difference by enhancing and enriching the lives of others.
To improve how we relate to our fellow residents in the community schemes where we live, we can choose to be:
1. generous with our time – When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you’ll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. – Rick Warren.
2. generous with our words – speaking kind, encouraging words while extending forgiveness and by giving others the benefit of the doubt when we may take offence – Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
3. generous with our talents, skills, and with our possessions, everyday practising generosity with random but intentional acts of kindness – Always give without remembering, and always receive without forgetting-Unknown.
At Whitfields we endeavour to listen, care, and deliver, through serving the members of the community schemes we manage. We undertake that we will by our best endeavours and best practise, provide relevant and updated information to the scheme executives on the applicable governing scheme legislation and how such impacts the scheme where they are appointed, and to give them the necessary direction and advice as to how they can best manage their schemes.
We hope we will always be able to meet your expectations as we endeavour to do every day! At times we may fail, but we will always try our best to do better and to improve in the service we provide. We have done so for the past 25 plus years and look forward to doing so into the future!
