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Guide to Goodness

A Way of Being.  Fruit of the Spirit: Generosity

Smitten With Goodness
Art by Melanie Boutiette Just Beloved

It is often said that the United States of America is a generous nation full of generous people. According to Giving USA, charitable giving totaled $471.44 billion in 2020 up from $448.66 billion in 2019.  According to the report, giving by individuals totaled $324.1 billion, up 2.2%.  This is even in the complex landscape of the COVID pandemic and the racial and social justice movements. We saw cracks in the US infrastructure like never before, showing us glaring needs, and Americans continued to give billions of dollars to charity to help. Having been blessed to have a long, successful career in philanthropy, I have seen many examples of this generosity in action.  It inspires me to see individuals live in the Spirit of generosity, giving so much of themselves to help the good causes in which they believe. 

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Lives of the Saints

A Role Model for Hard Times and Suffering

Smitten With Goodness
Our Lady of Sorrows also known as Mater Dolorosa (Mother of Sorrows)

When crisis hits, how well do you react? Are you able to manage emotional distress?  In a culture where we avoid suffering at all costs, how well are you prepared when you lose a job, get divorced, have a child struggling for life, or see your husband battling to regain health?  Having been through these things, it is by God’s grace and Mother Mary’s example I haven’t cracked.

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