FROM THE BOARD
Jennifer Seeker Conroy, Board President
M
y cats are not very good at sharing. Iris and Athena are sisters, so you might expect some familial generosity, but you would be wrong. When we distribute an even number of treats, one cat inevitably eats hers as quickly as possible and then starts on the rest. They always seem to be worried that there is not enough to go around. That food will run out and they will surely starve.
centers in our brains. We humans are complicated creatures however, and we don’t always do what is best for us and for others.
Cats have a reputation for being mostly Iris and Athena self-interested, but other members of the animal kingdom regularly demonstrate generosity. According to the report The Science of Generosity by Greater Good Society at UC Berkeley, species including ants, bees, birds, and monkeys regularly engage in behaviors that benefit others, often at their own expense. Researchers suggest that generosity has evolutionary and biological advantages. By helping others, animals can support the survival of their species. The same can surely be said of humans.
Generosity goes far beyond financial contributions. The most meaningful generosity is often of other gifts like time, energy, talent, expertise, and attention. Generosity is personal and meaningful. Writing a check for $100 can be a great sacrifice for some and a mere afterthought for others. But whatever the gifts we are inspired to share, the sum of our generosity is greater than the parts. When we embrace a mindset of abundance, an attitude of love, and a spirit of responsibility, what we give comes back to us in the world we create. So, whether that’s to FUS, your family, or your community, embrace your innate generosity. Don’t be like my cats. ◊
When I reflect on times that I have not been as generous as I could have been, it is when I am operating from a mindset of scarcity. I feel there is not enough to go around, so I need to hang on tightly to what I have. (Maybe not so different from my cats after all!) Or I feel resentful. Others Panic sets in when food and water bowls become aren’t pitching in so why should I? Of course, this empty overnight. They wake us up with urgent attitude is a self-fulfilling prophecy. The tighter I cling to what’s “mine” the less I seem to have. As I meows and lead us opt out, others disengage too. to their overturned dishes. After we fill Conversely, the more I contribute, the more I the dishes, the alpha seem to have, almost like magic. It brings to mind cat of the two, Iris, one interpretation of the miracle of Jesus feedparks herself for a ing the 5,000 with just five loaves and two fishes. leisurely breakfast, Some say that when he and his followers shared hissing periodically what little they had, others were inspired to share to remind her sister what they had brought with them, resulting in Athena to keep her more than enough food to go around. distance.
Unlike cats, humans appear to be hard-wired for generosity. Acts of generosity light up reward
6 THE MADISON UNITARIAN
