What I Learned From… the Generosity of Others
Howdy y’all!
Welcome to the 19th edition of the infamous world famous groupwrite project known around these parts (and hopefully around your parts as well) as What I Learned From…!
That’s right, folks; it’s that time of the month (no, silly, not that time!) for y’all to shine your light for the whole world to see! It’s time for you to share your stories and lessons learned from the greatest schoolteacher of all: life!
This month, having just made it through the Thanksgiving Day holidays here in the U.S., and with the impending Christmas season finally landing on us like a big bag of warm Figgie Pudding (whatever the heck that is!), it seemed rather appropriate to choose a topic that sorta captured the essence, the spirit, the je ne se quois of the whole month of December.
Thus this month’s topic was born!
So I want y’all to give it up with a big rousing round of applause (sound of a big rousing round of applause) for this month’s WILF topic:
What I Learned From the Generosity of Others
So the questions before the jury this month are: Have you personally ever been the recipient of the generosity of another? Or, have you witnessed that generosity towards someone else?
Now bear in mind, y’all; I’m not talking about your simple, run-of-the-mill stuff. Y’know; like when a co-worker loans you a few coins for the soft drink machine, or when your best friend takes you out to dinner. And we’re also not looking for stuff you’ve personally done yourself. (All that is well and good, mind you, but the aim here is slightly different.)
No, we want to know about a time you, or someone you know or have been around, may have been in, well, desperate straights, so to speak. And – solely because of the actions of someone else – you (or they) made it through. Or maybe you’ve seen, or been the recipient of, one of those random acts of kindness popping up all over the place?
The bottom line is, has there ever been a time when someone else did something so completely unlooked-for (either to you or someone else), it literally blessed your socks off?If so, then what did you learn from it?
Yep; that’s what I’m talkin’ about!
How to Participate
Don’t worry; taking part in a WILF is as easy as writing a blog post. (Come to think of it, it’s exactly like writing a blog post!)
As always, you are of course free to write anything you like, as long as it relates to the topic. Be specific. Heck; you can even be non-specific. And, since I never impose a restriction on length, be as eloquent – or as brief – as you like. But most of all be yourself!
Not only that; if you’re feeling particularly inspired, go ahead and write more than one entry! (I wrote four posts for one WILF, while yet another overachiever topped that with five!)
We’ll collect all your contributions for a period of one week, from now thru midnight, Sunday night, December 7th.
Here’s all you have to do:
- Write one or more new post(s) on your blog. As I said, feel free to be as eloquent (or concise) as you like. C’mon; show off for us, why don’cha?
- Include a link to THIS POST (uh, the one you’re reading now).
- Send me an email (rhruzek@sbcglobal.net) containing your name, the title of your post, and the permalink of the post. (This is just to make sure I don’t miss it.)
- REQUESTED: Please publicize this project by any means possible! That’s blog posts, tweets, emails, dog sleds or snail mail; hey, it don’t matter as long as the word goes far and wide! After all, with today’s social media we ought to be able to easily reach the whole world, y’know? So go ahead; tell your friends! Tell your neighbors! Heck; tell your friends’ neighbors while you’re at it! The more the merrier!
That’s all there is to it! (See? I told you it was easy!) On Monday, December 8th, I will post the entire list of entries right here at the Middle Zone, so be sure and drop by to check ‘em all out. (By the way, that list will also have a permanent spot in the WILF archive page.)
As always, groupwrite projects are open to anyone (you don’t even have to have a blog to enter – just send it to me and I’ll post it as a guest post). But again, please remember, we only have two simple rules around here:
- For the sake of the general blogging audience, please keep it G-Rated. (Also please note: this is a request, not a demand, since after all it’s your blog and you can do what you want. Fair warning, though: I reserve the right to link to you – or not.)
- Be nice.
All right, ladies and gentlemen; you know what to do! Grab the writing instrument of your choice and go for it!
[Further note from the Proprietor - I realize it takes time to write your entries (that's why I started announcing the topics a week ahead of kickoff day), but would you mind too terribly not waiting until midnight on Sunday night to notify me? When everyone waits to the last minute (you know who you are!) it sometimes gets a little difficult to get them all compiled by Monday's 6 am post time. I surely thank you, and as a token of my appreciation - have yourself a cookie!]
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“The Generosity of Others” image created with the help of a clever little application called Spell with Flikr, by Erik Kastner
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Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Robert, This is going to be the easiest post I ever had to write.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Interruption Marketing that Works!
Well Robert, so this is where you’re spending all of your free time.
Very nice site.
This is a great topic, I’ll be interested in seeing the stories posted here.
Cheers
George
Tumblemooses last blog post..Finding your writer’s voice
Hi Robert
Mine’s in (or out, or there, or whatever you want to call it)
The Generousity of Others – where would we be without them/it? on my StopStart blog
Re Brad: mine was even easier I think
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
Karin H.s last blog post..When wood turns digital
@Brad – I agree with ya; it SHOULD be easy. Most of us are the recipients of considerable generosity, whether we know it or not. Hopefully we learn to notice…
@Tumblemoose – Hey, welcome to the Zone, George! Oh, I forgot to warn ya, Bubba; the Middle Zone is sorta like a Roach Motel: once you check in, you can’t check out! Just sayin’.
@Karin – Thanks for the contribution, Karin! I got yours on the list.
Bob, so many people have been generous to me, I don’t quite know how to sort this one out…. Hmmm… will mull it over and see what strikes me most.
Thanks for the great challenges you bring right out of that amazing noggin of yours.
Robyn McMasters last blog post..Driving Under Influence of Cells
Very interesting. Count me in!
Parths last blog post..3 More Methods to Design an Intense Body Weight Workout
@Robyn – I know you’ve got a story or two to share, Robyn! I look forward to reading it. ;-D
@Parth – Hey, welcome to the Zone, Parth! I look forward to seeing your contribution, Bubba!
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the inspiration! I will be happy to
Giovanna Garcia
Giovanna Garcias last blog post..To Learn How To Fly…
[...] This post is part of Robert Hruzek’s group-writing project. [...]
[...] A friend of mine Robert Hruzek is the writer of this fantasitc blog Middle zone Musings. He is doing a wonderful groupwrite project on a very inspiration topic “What I Learned From…the Generosity of Others?” [...]
I’ve had so many of these wonderful random acts of kindness. I am interested in writing one.
George McCumiskeys last blog post..The Old Love/New Love Pack – The Air Jordan XX3 (23) On Shelves this November, 2008
[...] Link to the announcement post on Middle Zone Musings. [...]
Hi Bob,
Just found you on Twitter and your posts always make me smile (-:
What a cool idea! This should be fun….
Chris
chris zydels last blog post..PAIN FREE CREATIVITY: YOU DON’T REALLY NEED TO SUFFER FOR YOUR ART
@Giovanna – Hey, thanks for the entry, Giovanna; I appreciate your support! A hat tip for ya!
@George M. – I hope you do, George; I’ll be lookin’ for it! Thanks for dropping by the Zone!
@Chris – Hey, I appreciate that, Chris! Hope you decide to join us for the project; it’ll do your heart good, I’m tellin’ ya!
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What generosity from others do you most appreciate? Big or small?
Someone who remembers the contents of the conversations when you were getting to know them. e.g.: your likes, dislikes, favorite things, beliefs, etc…..basically, someone who pays attention during a conversation and cares enough to remember it.
Great topic! Good luck…
[...] NOTE: I wrote this to support Robert Hruzek’s current writing project What I Learned from the Generosity of Others. [...]
I had to think long and hard about this one (that burning smell is my brain sizzling), but I’m going to meet the challenge and post soon (by deadline, I promise). Thanks.
Anita Bruzzeses last blog post..Four Ways Your Job Can Save You Time and Money
Anita, I’m looking forward to reading your entry!
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Saw your blog on High Calling. Being new to blogging and your giving a great topic to work with I will attempt to participate. Thanks for the opportunity. In Jesus, Nancy
Nancys last blog post..What I Learned…
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@Nancy – Welcome to the Middle Zone, Nancy! I hope you like it here, and I especially hope you join us for this month’s project!
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Robert, hope you got mine okay. The entries I’ve read so far have been very moving. Thanks once again for organising such a great project.
Joanna Youngs last blog post..Generosity: in 2 Syllables or Less
Don’t worry, Joanna; I’ve got yours on the list. Clever idea of yours, too!
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