“If we should deal out justice only, in this world, who would escape?  No, it is better to be generous, and in the end more profitable, for it gains gratitude for us, and love.”

— Mark Twain

Last night millions of doors opened and generosity poured out into little pumpkin shaped bags.

A lot of generosity for my daughter last night.

Halloween is an opportunity to be generous. We give away pieces of candy to help a few kids get a chance to dress up, play a character, and get a tummy ache in the morning. It’s a chance to give a little. And it comes right to our door.

But it’s a rare occasion when the opportunity to be generous comes knocking.

Our daughters (middle) and their costumed friends.

Often we need to break our routines, buck the norm, or go out of our way to give or to help. That’s part of the reason being generous can sometimes feel a little uncomfortable.

Yet, that’s the when the power of generosity to change us is at it’s strongest – when we intentionally break our routines to give our time. That intention to give a little, give more, or give better is what changes us. The desire to connect or to see someone else succeed changes us on the inside. The break in the routine helps break up ourself just a little. A break for the better.

The opportunity to be generous is always near. It just doesn’t knock on our door very often.

Yesterday’s gift of time … My wife Melissa and I “discretely” chaperoned half a dozen teenage girls around the neighborhood on Halloween.