Generosity leads to a life more abundant
I was chatting with a Bringing Up Brits reader the other day and she was telling me that as she gets older and the longer she lives in Britain, the more she wants to get back to her Chinese roots. She’s married to a British man and is bringing up two young Brits, half Chinese. We were talking about how much we’ve changed in order to fit in here. For example, a few years ago my husband asked me why I stopped saying hi to people we passed on the street or in town (not necessarily people I knew). I told him that when I used to do that, most people would look at me weird. Or, they would just stare blankly at me. Some were outright rude to me. Very rarely was I met with a warm, friendly response. So I simply stopped doing it. When in Rome….
But when my husband brought it up and I told him my thoughts on it, he said that I shouldn’t stop doing something that comes naturally to me. I know it’s hard because you have to adapt to your surroundings and sometimes that means changing something that you do in order to fit in. However, he is partly right. Why should I stop being the way I am just because I’m living in Britain? I didn’t change when I lived in Prague or Tokyo so why should I here?
My reader also gave me an example. We were talking about reciprocity and supporting one another whether it’s about business or about friendship. She said that in China, it’s very common and actually expected that you support one another and if someone does a favour for you, you do one back for them. In business especially, but also in general. But here in Britain, people don’t do that as much so she has stopped doing it herself. She said that she feels like she wants to get back into that mindset because it’s actually very beneficial for everyone involved and it’s a nicer way to lead your life. I totally agree.
Something for the business minded folk:
“If you can’t immediately make a note of 5 connections you have helped facilitate or business owners you have supported in the last month then this is something you need to do more of. Networking is all about reciprocity make sure you are fully engaging in the process.” – Inspiring Global Entrepreneurs (pg. 81)
Something for everyone:
“For it is in giving that we receive.” ― St. Francis of Assisi
“Living in the moment gives you a sense of reverence for all of life’s blessings. What I know for sure is that what you give comes back to you.” – Oprah Winfrey
This is the season to be merry, to be generous and to be thoughtful. Don’t just think about yourself and how you can benefit without helping someone else. In business, don’t be self-serving. Be genuine, be helpful. Let’s all do that.
Interesting post, Meghan. It’s definitely made me reflect on the ways in which I’ve changed. I do find it really difficult to identify because I moved here at 22 years old and am now 31. I’ve moved from being an adolescent to being an adult IN England, so can’t always distinguish what about the changes in me is simply growing up and what is actually down to be becoming more anglicised. Will have to think about it!
Yes, great point Brittney. I also have done a lot of ‘growing up’ outside the USA, mostly in Prague and in Tokyo. I haven’t had the experience of becoming a mother and buying a house, for example, in the States. I found it fascinating talking about it to my reader who is Chinese, married to a British man and has two children here (born here). I was nodding at everything she was saying, especially the reciprocity and was intrigued that we had such similar experiences and outlooks even though she is from China and I”m from the US. Interesting!