“What is the hypothesis of generosity? What is the most generous assumption you can make about this person’s intentions or what this person said?”
~ Brené Brown, Rising Strong
” “I don’t know. I really don’t. All I know is that my life is better when I assume that people are doing their best. It keeps me out of judgment and lets me focus on what is, and not what should or could be.” His answer felt like truth to me. Not an easy truth, but truth.”
~ Brené Brown, Rising Strong
Hello Monday. We meet again.
I have been reading Brené Brown’s book, Rising Strong, for months. Literally months. It’s not so much that I’m a slow reader (in fact I’ve read multiple other books since I started this one) as it is that I keep stopping to digest what she’s saying. I’ve highlighted so many passages on my Kindle that I’m considering buying an actual physical book so I can mark it up and add it to the shelf of books that have shaped the way I perceive the world. It’s that good.
This morning I’m pondering the hypothesis of generosity she puts forth and, conversely, the impact of the toxicity of judgement. There’s much I could say about this in terms of my own experience and that of a situation I’ve been observing of late but I don’t have all the answers. Neither does Brené Brown, for that matter. Still, her research and writing gives one much to consider.
Get the book. Seriously, get the book.
Generosity is leaving a $20 bill for a $!0.11 check at the Cowboy Cafe in Henryville (or was it Hettyville?), OK. We figured we made the waitress’s day. She was wearing a t-shirt supporting breast cancer eradication that read (in small print) “Save the Racks.”
Good for you, Lynn. I’m certain you made her day! But how on earth did you end up with a bill for 11 cents?