generosity is my new valentine

I've been inspired by Sasha Dichter to reboot Valentine's Day to Generosity Day! 

In this post, Sasha writes,

"Valentine’s Day is going to be rebooted as Generosity Day: one day of sharing love with everyone, of being generous to everyone, to see how it feels and to practice saying “Yes.”  Let’s make the day about love, action and human connection.

Give to people on the street.  Tip outrageously.  Help a stranger.  Write a note telling someone how much you appreciate them.  Smile.  Donate (more) to a cause that means a lot to you.  Take clothes to GoodWill.  Share your toys (grownups and kids).  Be patient with yourself and with others.  Replace the toilet paper in the bathroom.  All generous acts count!

As you act generously, and as you witness acts of generosity, please keep folks updated on Twitter using the #generosityday hashtag or post it on the Generosity Day Facebook page.

I love this idea so here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to turn Valentine's Day into Generosity Week with two blog giveaways - one today and one on Thursday. I'm also going send a check to my favorite nonprofit, I'm going to say "yes" when given the opportunity, and I'm going to focus on practicing compassion with myself and the people around me.

I hope you'll join me!

Today, I'm giving away three "book/DVD packages." Three folks will get a copy of The Gifts of Imperfection, I Thought It Was Just Me, and The Hustle for Worthiness DVD.

Just leave a comment telling us about a generous person whom you are grateful for today.

I'm grateful for my husband, Steve. Not only has he been my Valentine for 24 years, he's incredibly generous with his love, time, and wisdom. I'm so thankful!

Happy Generosity Week!

Update on Thursday, February 17, 2011 by Brené Brown

Congrats to Tom Davis, Paula J., and Vanessa Roff! You won copies of the books and DVD!

Reply to our emails so we can get them shipped!

Comments

[Anna N]

I'm grateful for Regina, a family friend of my grandparents' generation, who was stubborn, fiercely independent, direct, and generous. She lived by herself and took the subway every week throughout her 80s to volunteer at a soup kitchen. She died last week and I'm grateful to have known her.

[slawebb]

Vicki Hoefle to me is such a generous person. She has been teaching parenting class for years and has help me to learn skills to transform my family to a more loving and cooperative one. She is generous with her time and encouragement to so many, through the program, her forum and on the phone.

[Laura]

I am grateful for my husband Regan, who selflessly gives of his time and money to those in need and for all the support he has given me and my family since my Dad died.

[Betsy]

I am grateful for my generous husband. He does dishes, baths, mornings and so much more. He is kind, giving, happy and funny.

[Cali @caligater]

I'm insanely grateful for the #reverb10 community, who showed grace, courage & vulnerability in sharing their stories---with "strangers," online, for the world to read and share. Those who have contributed to #reverb10 (and who continue to) are generous in courage---and I'm so grateful to them for it!

[Missy K]

I'm so thankful for my friend Rachel-- she has a houseful of little kids and many claims on her time, but she is so generous with her heart and attention. And I'm always so grateful for her perspective.

[Katrina Kennedy]

Definitely my husband as well. He gives of himself everyday for the happiness of his family. Its the silly things like giving me the better slice of cake or the seat with the best view, the time to be away when I need it and the quiet space to think.

I love the idea of generosity day.

[Celina Wyss]

I'm grateful for my husband. He is extremely generous in giving to others and giving his time to his family. Even home for just this weekend he generously helped me with housework this weekend.

[Liesa]

I'm grateful for my friend Cheryl. Her smile and laugh brings sunshine to any room. Her honesty and struggle to be more authentic has inspired and challenged me. Her wisdom has guided me and her prayers have supported me. She's fantastic!

[Jane Haag]

I'm grateful for my college friend Christine. She is always supportive of my endeavors. I don't know anyone else who is so genuinely happy for the success of others'. Because she believes in me, I believe in myself.

[Sandy]

I am very grateful for my friend, Braxton, for his staunch friendship during the creative destruction of my entire life. He has provided a safe refuge for my grief, vulnerability and fear. His daily "Keep your chin up. I believe in you" has often been the only thing to keep me vertical, hopeful and looking ahead.

[Matt]

I'm grateful for my husband, whom I've had the great pleasure of celebrating ten Valentine's Days with.

[Silver]

II am to my most generous mom who gave me birth and most of all LIFE. She always encouraged me to be independent and rise above any circumstance. She gives and gives and gives to her friends and family, and even when hurt or disappointed by someone, she continues to give to them.

[Meredith (@msstewart)]

I'm grateful for the generosity of Dean Shareski who brought 75 people from Twitter together to create this birthday video for Alec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idhsUy3SKE4 It's made me smile all day :)

[Mahalia Freed ND]

I am grateful for my sweetheart, who showed her love and support and consideration for me this weekend by surprising me and cleaning my entire apartment while i was at the hospital supporting my grandmother. What a Valentine's gift!

I am also grateful to the universe for the beautiful life i get to live. Wow. I am grateful to Malibu and my parents for a warm sunshine break, to my puppy for her delightful puppy cuteness, to my family, to my warm and deeply present friends, to the orchid that blossoms on my desk in this healing space, to the sleeping trees outside, awaiting spring...

[Sasha Dichter]

Brene, thank you so much for posting and for being such an inspiration. I'm truly honored.

Sasha

[Amanda Susan]

My dad recently passed away and I'm just amazed at the generosity of our family and friends. I had one friend take time away from her work day to be with me, she didn't need anything from me but I needed a whole lot of support from her. Then there are the constant calls to see how my mom and I are doing, offers of movies and dinner and just talking.

[Heather Fisher Stoll]

I'm grateful for my friend Kimberly, who I ran into today at the grocery store unexpectedly...she was exactly the person I needed to see this morning. She inspires me to keep at it. She's awesome.

[Sara]

I am grateful for my sister, Lee. She is my best friend, no matter what. We are both single this year and she came down to Chicago (from Wisconsin) to spend a fabulous weekend with me. -Unfortunately she had to leave yesterday. Even though we have many differences, she is patient with me and tries her best to understand. She is supportive of my endeavors and doesn't judge my choices. More than anything, my sister shows me love through her listening ear, quality time together, and of course her hugs. <3

[Leslie @ {Tiny Wings}]

My 2 best friends, Heather & Tracie, are the most generous ladies that I've ever known. It's not unlike either one of them to send a special treat my way if I'm having a lousy day. And their generous spirit goes so far beyond their circle of family and friends -- they both excel in humanitarian efforts -- helping those in need, locally and globally. They've both inspired me to become more generous with those around me, as well as with people I'll most likely never meet! Love them both dearly!

[Bonnie Preston]

I am grateful for my mother. I was adopted as an infant and have always considered myself lucky beyond imagining. The woman who I always knew as "Mom" was my hero - brave, incredibly intelligent, wise, demanding, professional, generous, kind, compassionate, loving - all these qualities were modeled for me by this exceptional woman for the first 34 years of my life. She passed away in 1987 at age 81, having lived an exceptional life. She left an enduring legacy. A pioneer - a woman in a man's job in the 1950's and 1960's - I will never forget the avalanche of cards and letters from people expressing their gratitude for having known her upon her death. I am always grateful that when my birth mother asked her if she would adopt me, my Mom said "YES"!

[Jan]

I love this idea...much more inclusive and meaningful than chocolates and flowers and cupids, oh my! Thanks, Brene.

[pmc]

I am incredibly grateful for my mom--the most generous and giving person that I have ever known! Even though she died 10 years ago, the legacy and impact of her generosity lives strong! Love you Mama!!!

[Lorenzy17]

I'm grateful for my wonderful parents. I'm alone this year on Valentine's Day as they are on vacation in Mexico and I'm dearly missing them. It's all the little things that they do for me that make the difference. I am so grateful for my parents! :D

[Lisa]

I'm grateful for my 8 year old daughter Thea, who allows me to see the world through her eyes and shares her ability to be loving and amazed with me every single day.

[Jenn]

I am grateful for my dear sweet friend Maria, whom I've known for more than 20 years and who can always make me feel more Real and authentically myself. She is in the hospital right now, and I'd ask anyone who reads this to send warm teacup-shaped thoughts in the general direction of Florida on her behalf...
--Jenn

[Living the Balanced Life]

I am grateful as well for my hubsand, Terry. We will celebrate 30 years in June. He has stuck beside me thru many ups and downs, especially this past year. I love him with all my whole heart!
Bernice

[Danielle]

I am so grateful to my husband Steve who took care of my sick ass all weekend as I tried to get over a flu. He did the laundry, made me chicken soup and made sure that my son got his Valentines ready to go for today. This is true love! xo

[Elizabeth]

My husband and my friend's husband rocked generosity by giving my friend and I each a day at the spa -- girl time to the max! My dad's generosity is right up there as he gave me a Kindle, to read during a pedicure perhaps?

[Matt]

I am grateful for my wife, Melodie, who said yes to a crazy opportunity to move our family across the country and move in with my mother. She gave up many things she loves--the mountains of Colorado, being a stay-at-home mom, her running community, her own home, her furniture and "things." She generously gave all of that up to be a blessing to my mother (who has been widowed for 25 years and lived alone for 12 years).

[Chris]

I am thankful for my grandfather. He was the only person to take unconditional ownership of his role in my life with no "whats in it for me". He taught me how important it is to simply ask questions and be involved. Without his help I would not be half the man, or husband, that I am today.

[Alana]

I am eternally grateful for my handsome husband and partner in life, my beautiful bright light of a daughter and my angel baby son, whose death brought me more fully into life. I am also full of gratitude for all the people who show up in my life, on a daily basis it seems, to hold my hand, point the way, or inspire me to be the person I was born to be.

[christine]

My partner of 10 yrs James.....he's been my biggest heartache sometimes but my biggest teacher. He's taught me how to live.

[bethp]

I'm grateful for my son's preschool teacher. in the face of 24 3 year olds, she always has a smile, a kind word, the time to listen. for both my son and myself. her generosity is inspiring.

[Tammy]

My heart explodes with gratitude for my husband whose body is confused with sarcoidosis, but takes the best care of me as I learn to live with my own body's confusion of cancer. Aging gracefully takes on a whole new meaning for us. Some days we just laugh to keep from feeling overwhelmed with it all. But everyday he is constantly doing things to remind me that I am loved, adored and cared for. My Happy Valentine until the day after forever!

[ab]

I am thankful for my husband who is extremely generous with his time and energy reserves. He works a lot and still finds ways to help me out at home with our young son. I know that this time of year is especially difficult for him as he is an accountant, but he never complains and is always there to lend a hand. Even the small things he is able to take care of for me, make a huge difference in our day to day life. He's the best!

[Emily]

I am grateful for my grandmother. At 94, she can (and does!) still generously give of herself because she is living with so much vigorous authenticity that her heart pool will never dry up. The connections that she has created with others in her life are deep and loving, her soul is always warm and shining, and her life is always filled with the joy of being truly loved by others. To me, there could be no better example of how to live, love and just be and I am truly grateful for her as a role model and as a touch stone for what is important. Granny, I am truly grateful for you.

[Jennifer]

I am grateful for my children. They show me unconditional love in a way I have never experienced before. They keep me putting one foot in front of the other in the most difficult of times. I am so grateful for the permission they give me to play, create, pretend and just be myself. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

[Holly]

I am grateful for my friend Di. She shaved her head on Friday for the fight against cancer! Amazing woman beautiful inside and out!

[Theresa]

Yesterday, my cousin told be about Buddhist monk, Venerable Robina Courtin. Her forthright and even gruff expression of spirituality validated me enormously. (I'm not warm and fuzzy) SO grateful for my cousin and the gift of her recommendation, Ven. Robina Courtin.

[Jennifer Battle]

I'm grateful for the caller I had at work this morning who was taking the time to care for a stranger with severe mental illness. Most people in our society would have just walked right on by this person, but the caller took him in, gave him a meal, let him wash his clothes and take a shower and then called the local MHMR to see what needed to be done to get him into services. If this doesn't meet the true spirit of Valentines and Generousity then I don't know what does!

- Jennifer

[Isobel]

Today I am grateful for my best friend, Catherine. It's my PhD defense tomorrow, and I've moved away from where I studied, and she's letting me stay at her house to prepare. I am so thankful for her company and sense of humor keeping me from going crazy with nerves, and also for cooking me dinner tonight!

[Sherry Morgan]

I am thankful my two daughters who provide me with limitless love and buffets of belly laughs

[sarah]

where to begin? I'm grateful to my mom, who has been consistently supportive of all my life's crazy ups and downs. If I told her I was going to join the circus, she'd enthusiastically tell me five reasons I hadn't even thought of, of why joining the circus is the best idea EVER. If the next day, I announced I was going to go sailing around the world, she'd be just as psyched. Her ability to find the silver lining in any cloud has been a great gift to me throughout my life.

[Tom]

I'm grateful for my amazing wife. Although she has lost many things in her life, including the tragic death of her parents as a young girl, she is the most giving and gracious person I know. A true gift to me and our children.

[Cathy]

I am grateful for my sister circle, today and every day. They hold me up when I stumble and laugh and love with me the rest of the time. They are my mirrors and they constantly remind me to share Love, truth, and compassion with everyone I encounter. Go Team Love!!

[Sara]

I'm grateful to my housemate M, who has taken me in and allowed us to create a unique, positive house-sharing situation that fulfills many of our joint and individual needs. She also helps me when I am struggling to solve problems, lets me cook her amazing food, and knows just how to make me laugh when I'm sad. She is gone this week for work, and I am lucky to have a chance to show her just how grateful I am (by cleaning the whole house and doing major yard work!).

[Fred Hundt]

I'm grateful for my dear friend, Lorry Schneider, who died last week. She was a nurse-midwife for the Indian Health Service in New Mexico. She brought thousands of babies into the world--their first sight was her generous and loving face. She was a lover of other species, too. She donated and raised money for endangered species around the world...orangutans were her favorites. She shared her love of jazz and organic food with friends all over the country.

This small, unassuming Jewish girl from Southern California touched so many lives with her generosity of spirit, and she taught me so much about living generously.

[Tracee]

I am soooo grateful today! I am grateful to God for giving me this life. For giving me breath... eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart that feels <3.

I am grateful to my husband of 19 years who gives me consistent incredible joy, unconditional love, and is always a safe place for me to land. He stops life and allows me and our son to enter at the busiest times when needed. He is full of character and integrity.

I am grateful for my son who has given me laughter and joy... and softens my heart with just one glance. I am grateful for my two dogs who are always excited to see us and warm our hearts with their loving licks and playful wagging of their tales.

I am grateful for my friends and for Brene and her insightful work. It has truly blessed my entire family, our friends and our church family as her books continue to multiply in our midst ;o)

There is nothing like living life in the light. I appreciate how 'Gifts of Imperfection' has brightened mine!

[Ed Denning]

Interestingly, one of the most generous people I know is my Ex, Fiona. While we split up four years ago after a ten year relationship, we have seldom been out of contact. During that time we have become strong, compassionate friends that can lean on each other and I have been able to call her for advice. Yes... even dating advice! More than once she has been a steady rock for me. Her generosity is unparalleled and has been welcomed wholeheartedly. I have returned the generosity whenever I can.