280 Be Generous

"Generosity takes an open heart and a love that asks for nothing in return." - Lewis Howes If you enjoyed this episode, check out show notes and more at http://lewishowes.com/280 Get more from Lewis! Get my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy! Get The Greatness Mindset audiobook on SpotifyText Lewis AIYouTubeInstagramWebsiteTiktokFacebookX

Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

• 0:03Lewis Howes?

  This is Five Minute Friday, episode number 280. It's time to be generous.

• 0:10Lewis Howes?

  John Holmes said, "There is no excuse better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up." Have you ever noticed that the happiest people you know are also the ones who bring the most happiness to others? Just as Saint Francis of Assisi said, "It is in giving that we receive." When you give generously, when you give freely, when you give it all away for no particular reason, when you give from your heart, your life will be abundant beyond your wildest imagination. John Bunyan said, "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."

• 0:53Lewis Howes?

  My father was an incredibly generous man. In our small Ohio town, one of the biggest events of the year was the county fair. And Dad loved the agricultural traditions of the fair and volunteered throughout the week-long celebration called "The Little Brown Jug." One of his favorite parts of the week was supporting the kids from Future Farmers of America, who raised livestock and made various baked goods, which would be judged and then auctioned off at the end of the day to the highest bidder. It seemed like every year, Dad would come home with a lopsided cake or a mushy pie that he had literally paid a few hundred dollars for at the auction. The outrageous sale price was no doubt the most thrilling moment of this kid's life.

• 1:38Lewis Howes?

  The smile on a hard-working child's face was worth every penny to Dad. Simone de Beauvoir said, "That's what I consider true generosity. You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it cost you nothing." That was just one of the simple but profound things he did with generosity. He loved to eat well and especially enjoyed going out to restaurants with the family as we kids grew older and could enjoy conversation. These were the times we connected and created some of my greatest memories. Dad would smile wherever he went, a giant contagious smile. His laugh was so loud, I think I actually startled people and eventually got everyone

• 2:21Lewis Howes?

  else laughing, especially in the movies. And Dad had a unique love for two-dollar bills. He would order them at the bank each week and tip with them, reveling in the delight that the recipient would express at such a rarity. This was a simple but profound act of not only leaving an impression but also spreading childlike joy wherever he went, brightening people's day. In our hometown, Dad was known as the two-dollar bill guy. His generosity was an inspiration. Steve Goodyear said, "Money is not the only commodity that is fun to give.

• 3:00Lewis Howes?

  We can give time, we can give our expertise, we can give our love, or simply give a smile. What does that cost?" The point is, none of us can ever run out of something worthwhile to give. Some of the most generous people throughout the world literally have nothing, but they share what little they have freely. The teachings of generosity are an important part of Native American life, as shown in our early American Thanksgiving stories. Luther Standing Bear was a chief notable in American history as one of the first Native American authors, educators, philosophers, and actors of the 20th century.

• 3:44Lewis Howes?

  When Standing Bear was chosen as a chief in 1905, there was a great celebration. Quote, "I started giving away things I had brought along," he said. "I kept this up until I had given away everything I owned, and my wife and I walked away with practically nothing," end quote. Sharing the teachings of his people, Standing Bear said, "Generosity is a mark of bravery." So all Sioux boys were taught to be generous.

• 4:13Lewis Howes?

  I have been infinitely blessed in my life with generous people who have taught me this important lesson. I've experienced time and time again that giving is truly living. It is true that it takes courage to be generous. It takes trust. It takes faith. It takes surrender. It takes an open heart and a love that asks for nothing in return. Be brave, be bold in your generosity, and give it all away. What you receive will astound you. And the Dalai Lama said, generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving kindness. Thank you all so much for listening to this Five Minute Friday.

• 4:58Lewis Howes?

  If this resonated with you, if this connected with you in any way, make sure to share it with your friends. LewisHowes.com/280. We couldn't be this big of a podcast without you. Over a million downloads a month, 280 episodes. It's all thanks because of you. If you enjoy this podcast, if you want to support the show, then make sure to spread the message of the podcast by sharing this specific episode or previous ones that you enjoy, the previous interviews that resonate with you the most. This again is LewisHowes.com/280. Make sure to spread the love with your friends and continue to share the message of greatness. You guys are incredible. Thank you so much. Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, we do this.

• 5:43Lewis Howes?

  Make sure to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and SoundCloud if you have yet to subscribe. If this is your first time here, welcome. I can't wait to connect with you very soon. You guys know what time it is. It's time to go out there and do something great.