OPPORTUNITY {5 MINUTE FRIDAY}

Today, my remote control for my dvd didn't work. What does this have to do with opportunity you may ask - well, it meant that I had to do my stretching exercises on my own, so I turned on the local Christian station.

The topic was on finances. As I stretched into "cow pose," I listened intently because hey, it's the beginning of a new year. I could always use some help and focus on finances (I'm not a numbers person).

What I heard was less about money and more about generosity though. I often think of generosity as giving someone money, but it is a heart attitude more than anything else.

It made me think (as I stretched back into "Downward Facing Dog") that I have the opportunity to be generous this year - not just with my finances, but with my time, my energy and my heart.

So many times, my to do list pushes me past the opportunity to listen to a friend or to stop long enough to really see others. Worse, sometimes I help others but feel grumbly about it inside.

That's not who I want to be. I don't want to be the priest who hurried past the man in the story of the Good Samaritan - too busy to help a fellow traveler in need.

The truth is I want to be generous, but all too often I get that panicky, harried feeling like all the "shoulds" in my life are nipping at my heels and I have to hurry to stay ahead of them.

This year, though, I want to stop. Breathe. Look around me. Take those opportunities presented to me to be generous - not just with my finances, but with my time, my skills, my heart.

I want to hold my life and all it entails with open hands, taking the opportunity to give generously to others.

It really is more blessed to give than receive - especially when I chose to give with a cheerful heart.



~ Blessings, Bronte