Your Personal Investment: Generosity

Do you view your life as a personal investment?  Well you should!  Unfortunately, people take this too far.  Life should not just be about what you put in versus how much you receive back.  Some of the best rewards are for those unseen acts!  Now you ask, what rewards?  Unfortunately, everything is viewed on a monetary level, instead of through a heart of charity, kindness, forgiveness and generosity.

Generosity

Instead of always investing in yourself, invest in others!  Have some faith!  Life isn't about always seeing a reward, it's about a life long mission of love.  And no, not a love only for yourself!  A love for others through generosity!

What is generosity?  "It is the habit of giving without expecting anything in return. It can involve offering time, assets or talents to aid someone in need. Often equated with charity as a virtue, generosity is widely accepted in society as a desirable trait." Taken from Wikipedia

Police Man Buying Boots!

We know, we know, it's hard to always give and never receive anything in return, but isn't that what unconditional love is all about?

Do you have a friend in need?  Stop by with a cup of coffee to encourage a heart to heart talk.

Is your neighbor struggling to pay their bills?  Make them a meal to help relieve a little bit of stress.

Does your child need some quality time?  Take them to go see the Christmas lights.

A Mercy Christmas

Whatever the reason, generosity should be a top priority in everyone's life.  

It doesn't only mean being generous with your money, but generous with your time!

Work Like An American!

Written By: Danielle Marie

Here's my little rant, with a patriotic flare...

What has made America great?  Well many things, but one of the most important traits is the value of hard work.  We all want to be successful in our jobs, with our family, in our social circles, while also finding true eternal happiness.  Unfortunately, that underlying push which was so vivid in America 50 years ago has begun to unravel.

Rosie

Have we become too accustomed to the easy life?  Some Americans are afraid of hard work, they want everything at their finger tips, instantaneously.  Others, no longer have the drive to succeed, they only want to be told what to do and in the end receive a paycheck, because, for them, it's all about the money.  However,  there is a group of up and coming Americans who are ready for the hard work, they want to earn their success, they have a heart full of passion and can't stop their drive to succeed.  These are the people who will help turn this economy around!  It's not the current politicians or the old American families, such as the Rockefellers, the Carnegies or the Morgans.  No, these people already had their time in history.  We thank them for their contributions but it is now time to advance forward.  

Andrew Carnegie

Who are these passion-driven Americans?  These are the average men and women you encounter everyday, they understand the important things in life: faith, family, friends, and work.  They want to make their way in the world, they want to be true Americans!

So what type of American do you wish to be?  Do you want to be told what to do everyday, as long as you get that solid paycheck every other week?  Or do you want to take chances, risks and work hard to help America become a nation of value again?

American

Neighborly Neighbors and Banana Bread

We are starting something new here at Provocative Manners!  Twice a week we will post "inspiration" photos.  Find out how we live, how we love and what inspires us as writers.

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)
~ We made an extra small loaf of banana bread for our neighbor who just had major heart surgery.  Do you know your neighbors? Show them you care! ~

Here's the Recipe!

~ The Rooster is a national symbol of Portugal. "Galo de Barcelos".  It represents good luck (honesty, faith, and justice).  You will probably find one of these in every Portuguese house. ~


If you're interested...the story behind the rooster!

http://pigletinportugal.com/2011/04/03/what-is-the-galo-de-barcelos/

"A pilgrim from the Spanish Province of Galiza was passing through the town of Barcelos when a crime was committed. The authorities, not having any other suspects arrested the pilgrim and sentenced him to be hanged. The pilgrim asked to see the magistrate who had condemned him in order to plead his innocence. An audience was granted and the pilgrim was taken to the magistrate’s house while he was having a banquet. However, despite the pilgrim’s desperate please the magistrate remained unconvinced as to his innocence.In a desperate attempt the pilgrim pleaded again and then pointed to a magnificent roasted rooster on a silver platter waiting to be served to the guests.
“Lord God” said the pilgrim “as Peter, your servant denied you at the cock’s crow, would that you show my innocence as your humble servant by this cock’s crow?”
Much to everyone’s amazement the cock came to life and started to crow and the pilgrim was immediately released.
An alternative ending….
In desperation the pilgrim pointed to the roasted rooster on the banquet table and said
“As surely as I am innocent will that rooster crow if l am hanged!”
The guests and the magistrates roared with laughter at the pilgrims claims and he was led away to be hanged. The guests, however, lost their appetite for the rooster and it remained untouched on the platter. The hangman applied the noose and as the pilgrim was being hanged the rooster stood up and began to crow. Realising he had made a grave error the magistrate rushed from the table to stop the hanging. Luckily the noose was faulty and the pilgrim survived and was released." ~pigeltinportugal.com