Generosity – Episode 3

This is the third of 5 podcasts in a learning experience (learn more and subscribe) focusing on using  elements of the Working Out Loud process, positive psychology, behavioral science and more to build social support networks to improve our resilience.

This episode focuses on generosity: giving gifts, helping others, or even just spreading positive vibes. Research shows the positive benefits of generosity on our mental and physical health and our relationships. If you are looking to build connectedness and happiness in your life, you can’t go wrong with cultivating more generosity in your life.

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1 Thing for This Week

This week, we are practicing generosity by giving 5 small gifts.

• One day this week, give 5 small gifts to five individuals—all five in one day. It doesn’t matter if the acts are big or small, but it is more effective if you perform a variety of acts. Attention and gratitude.
• The acts do not need to be for the same person—the person doesn’t even have to be aware of them.
  • Find three opportunities to perform a random act of kindness. Examples include feeding a stranger’s parking meter, donating blood, helping a friend with a chore, or providing a meal to a person in need. Bringing a coworker a cup of coffee. Focus on the feeling of generosity
  • Choose one person from your list to give attention to and one person to give gratitude to. These are the universal gifts. When given in generosity they can help build relationships.
• After each act, write down what you did in at least one or two sentences; for more of a happiness boost, also write down how it made you feel.
• Share your experience with us on social media using #wolresilience or by leaving an audio comment on our “Generosity” post on Anchor.fm

Resources

Here are the resources we mentioned in the podcast this week.

• • “A neural link between generosity and happiness“
  • “Cooperative behavior cascades in human social networks“
  • “5 Ways Giving Is Good for You“
  • “Mindfulness & Character Strengths” by Ryan Niemiec
  • “Joy & the Gift” podcast featuring a conversation with Deray Mckeeson and Brene Brown.

Share Your Experience

We want to hear from you, and for you to hear from others who are sharing this learning experience, so we have created several spaces for you to discuss and reflect on this experience, and to share your progress.

• #wolresilience – use this hashtag on Twitter or Instagram to join the conversation.
• 612-524-9965 – call or text us at this number. If you leave a voicemail about your experience, we may share it on a future podcast.
• [email protected] – email us with your questions about and insights into this learning experience.
• Anchor – listen to our special content on Anchor.fm and use the Anchor app to leave an audio message.

Music

• Our theme is “Something Elated” by Broke for Free CC BY 3.0
• Break 1: “Transmutation” by Kara Square CC BY 3.0
• Break 2: “Blind Love Dub” by Jeris CC BY 3.0
• Break 3: “An Accident Waiting to Happen” by robwalkerpoet CC BY 3.0
• Break 4: “Reverie (small theme)” by _ghost CC BY 3.0