Gratitude and generosity go hand in hand--the more we appreciate our lives, the more we want to give to others. In A Grateful Heart, M. J. Ryan provided tools for expressing thanks. In the best-selling Attitudes of Gratitude, she taught us the inner work of realizing the many blessings we take for granted. Now, in The Giving Heart, she presents her latest examination of the virtues we need to cultivate for the twenty-first century and takes a look at generosity: what creates it, what blocks it, and what the practice of generosity can bring to our lives.In a series of short, heart-felt essays, Ryan encourages us all to stop living from what she calls "the ledger sheet mentality"¯ of obligatory gifting, and to begin giving from the overflow of a loving heart. She asks readers to consider where and how they are stingy as well as where they are meant to give, and to contemplate all the types of possible generosity, because the giving of time, energy, kind words, loving gestures, and forgiveness may ultimately matter more than any amount of money.
In her down-to-earth, accessible style, Ryan takes us to the heart of what it means to truly give, and what that giving can do not only for the recipient, but for ourselves, as well.
As the current economic boom brings attention to altruism and "giving back"¯ The Giving Heart shows us how to experience joy, peace, and fulfillment when we live from a place of generosity.
>From the book:
Generosity comes in all kinds of forms--material, of course, but also intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. It includes the giving of our knowledge, our awareness, our empathy, our silence. And because it's all about giving away, it's also about letting go of grudges, hurts, concepts of ourselves and the world that stand in the way of our connection to others.
A portion of the proceeds from The Giving Heart will be donated to the organization, My Shopping List for the World.
 M.J. Ryan is a writer, a seeker, and a giver of gratitude. She is the author of several other bestselling books including This Year I Will…, The Happiness Makeover: How to Teach Yourself to Be Happy and Enjoy Every Day, Trusting Yourself: How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed and Live More Happily with Less Effort, A Grateful Heart: Daily Blessings for the Evening Meal from Buddha to the Beatles, Attitudes of Gratitude in Love, The Power of Patience: How to Slow the Rush and Enjoy More Happiness, Success, and Peace of Mind Every Day. She has appeared on The Today Show, CNN, and many radio programs. She is a contributing editor to Good Housekeeping. Ryan also serves as a thinking partner to executives and entrepreneurs. She lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her family. Photo: Don McIlraith
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Red Wheel/Weiser - World
Weiser Books
Weiser Books
