Generosity isn't just about giving things — it's about giving time, attention, and love. And it always comes back.
Christmas in Australia is a season of generosity — and not just in the material sense. The most meaningful gifts given at this time of year are often the least tangible: time spent together, attention genuinely paid, acts of care that say "I see you and I value you."
The Science of Giving
A landmark study published in Science by Dunn, Aknin and Norton found that prosocial spending — giving to others — increases the giver's happiness more than self-spending. Stephen Post's extensive review linked generosity to improved mental and physical health outcomes.
What Generous Families Look Like
In families, generosity takes many forms beyond gifts. Time — sitting with someone when you could be doing something else. Attention — asking a question and genuinely listening. Effort — cooking something they love, making something by hand.
Creating a monthly family newspaper is itself an act of generosity — the time taken to document your family's life and send it to loved ones who might otherwise feel on the periphery.
From my tribe to yours — keep the stories coming!