I pick a theme for each year, and this year’s theme is generosity. Although it is critical that you take care of your own bamboo, generosity is also important. I’ve been focusing on this theme for the past ten months and have learned a lot. Most importantly, I realized that it’s just as important to learn how to receive generosity as it is to be generous with others. It stops the flow if someone is generous to us and we don’t receive it. Generosity has a ripple effect, like throwing a pebble into a pond–even the most minor act of generosity can impact those around us.

Oddly, being generous can seem selfish because it makes us feel good. Have you ever noticed when you go to volunteer, the other volunteers are really happy to be there and are generally nice people? Studies have shown that generosity improves our mental and physical health, and it’s critical to a happy and healthy life. Being generous can give us a sense of abundance and help those around us, especially during a crisis.

The other day, I visited a coffee shop and offered to pay for a woman’s coffee. I wanted nothing in return, only to give. But the look on her face and the joy I saw in her felt great to me. It was as if I handed her $500 dollars – she was ecstatic and so was I! Generosity bonds us; in this example, I connected with a “stranger” over a simple act of generosity. The best part is who knows what she might do next. She might buy coffee for the next person, give a compliment to a coworker, or hold the door open for someone–the options on how this small act may ripple through the community are endless. Generosity strengthens communities, whereas the opposite creates more isolation.

One of the things I have done with the theme of generosity is to intentionally witness people being generous. So when I’m out and about, I like to observe generosity happening all around me. If you pay attention, you will notice it too. The news will rarely show you all of the generosity, so you have to be intentional about observing it for yourself. I encourage you to look around for the generosity of others. It's incredible how much you’ll see just by focusing on it.

When was the last time you did something generous for someone where you couldn’t benefit from it?

Here’s what I hope you will take away from this:

Generosity is good for you, both physically and mentally.
Generosity makes you feel good.
Giving to get is not generosity.
Generosity has a ripple effect, so let’s be more generous and see what impact it makes in the world.
Receive others' generosity graciously.
There are many ways to be generous. It doesn't have to be money or material. Oftentimes your presence is all that is needed.