3 Reasons to Be Generous During the Pandemic
Generosity comes in many shades. Y’all can give something, do something, or even show grace to others when they fail you. These are all generous gestures, and ones the world needs right now. If you need convincing of the value of generosity, here are a couple of reasons to be generous during a pandemic that I care about (and hope you will, too).
You Don’t Know Others’ Struggles—They’re Probably Serious
Unless you live in a cave or under a rock (and even then, I’m not sure), your life looks very different during this pandemic than before. You stress out about handwashing when you didn’t think twice about it in January. You tell your kids they can’t play with their friends next door unless they want to talk to each other from your respective driveways. And you may be struggling to adapt to a change in income or routine.
Now, really dig into the idea that everyone else—all the strangers you pass in the grocery store—have their own struggles. Unlike before the pandemic, it’s more likely than not they or a loved one are dealing with an acutely stressful difficulty. Feed your empathic side by considering others in this way, and let that fuel your generosity.
Generosity Gives You Purpose, Not More Stress
Another reason to be generous during the coronavirus pandemic is to give yourself a sense of purpose and agency. I know I start to go downhill emotionally when I think about how much of this mess I can’t control—I need more wisdom every day about what I do and don’t have the power to change. One item in the “can control” part of the equation is my own generosity, which helps make this gloomy, uncertain time brighter for others. For instance, I love figuring out what I would put in a care package for my friends in need. Sending them off with a nice letter dampens my stress level, just as finding ways to be generous would for you.
People Are Lonely
An additional reason to be lavish with your generosity is to give your presence to lonely people. One of the worst things about this pandemic is that it keeps people apart from loved ones, breeding extreme isolation that talking on the phone can help but not cure. A kind gesture while grocery shopping or a thoughtful letter sent to a friend surprises the recipient with unexpected attention, perhaps touching them in a unique way as they grapple with the loss of human contact.
