A lesson in Generosity

I didn't realize how stingy I had become. Since when was I the person who didn't want to do things for others? To give things to others? That doesn't sound like me. At least I didn't think that was who I was. But I realized last week, that was who I had become.

Steve is the opposite of stingy and selfish. He is always thinking of the other person and how he can do right by them. I realized I need to be following in his footsteps and get over myself. It took three different situations to hammer this into my head. I will explain:

Situation #1: Steve put his car up for sale on KSL a couple of weeks ago. Someone came to look at it and bargained with him and got Steve to lower his price by $500. He had already posted it at the price he was hoping to sell it for so when he told me I felt like he had been taken. He thought it wasn't a big deal and was happy that the buyer thought he was getting a good deal. But this wasn't just a good deal, I tried to explain! This was a steal! Why wasn't he thinking of our family? We needed the cash we were getting from this! I couldn't believe he had forgotten to see this!

Situation #2: A friend of ours has helped us a TON. Steve has needed his help with a number of things and he is always happy and willing to help us out. It has truly been a lifesaver. We knew we had to pay him for his knowledge and expertise. That was no question. Steve and I decided on a price and stuck with it. This wonderful friend didn't want to be paid and refused our payment a number of times. But we persisted, and ultimately won. Steve knew that was the right thing to do. We could never have done certain things without his help.

Situation #3: For the past few months Steve and I have been trying to find a climbing cube or something of that sort with a slide that we can put in the backyard for the kids to play on this summer. We have been watching KSL religiously trying to find a used one because a new one is too expensive. This has turned out to be quite a task because if a play thing like this does appear on KSL they are generally sold within 10 minutes. You really have to be the first person to see it listed and to call on it. Well, because of this we were without one for a few months. One night, by complete luck, I decided to check KSL before we went to bed. There was a climbing cube listed but it had been posted for an hour, so I was sure it was sold. I thought it was worth a call. The line was busy and continued to be busy for the 30 minutes I tried to call. I figured they must have taken their phone off the hook because so many people were calling and it was sold. We went to bed. The next morning Steve was looking on KSL on his way to work and noticed that the cube still wasn't listed as "sold" so he thought he would give it a try. He called, got the machine, and left a message. Again, by some crazy luck, I got a call from the lady selling the cube later that day wondering if I was interested. I about died! I told her I thought it was sold for sure, and she said she did have a list of over 20 people she had messages from and was planning on calling back. I asked if she would not call them and let us pick it up that night. She gladly said we could have it and would be happy to help us load it up. I couldn't believe we had gotten this cube! It really was crazy considering all the time we have been searching for it to fall into our laps like this. YEAH! Well Steve paid them in cash for the cube and gave them an extra $5. Not much, I know but they were insistent to give us change. Steve refused, and thanked them.

As I watched Steve interact with these three different people I finally realized that I wanted to be like him! I wanted to make people feel like they were getting an incredible deal. Or let my friends know that I appreciate all the many things they do for and help me with. I wanted to give a little bit extra to the one who totally made my day, and hopefully make their day in return.

When I had this realization, I felt so good! It felt great to give! Do we really need that extra money? Are our relationships with others less important than what is in our wallet? I really had to step back and ask myself that question. When I did, I realized that they weren't. The most important thing is to do for others. The rest will fall into place. It always does.

I am glad that Steve didn't fall into my negativity and greed. I'm glad he taught me that it is so much better, and feels so much better to do for others and give to them. We ultimately don't need anything and the feeling that comes with the giving is way better that getting that thing I thought I wanted.

So Thank you, Steve! You are the best husband, teacher, and example! I Love you!