Adrian Volenik
Being generous means you positively impact the lives of others, making their day brighter.
But sometimes, your generosity goes unnoticed, or those around you even underestimate it.
Sometimes you don’t even think you’re generous enough, but let me show you 12 signs that you’re more generous than people think you are.
Let’s see what they are!
1) You volunteer and don’t seek attention
You often volunteer at your local community center, and you don’t post it on social media. You just do what you think is good for others and don’t seek any attention.
The impact of what you do to help others is more important to you than personal recognition.
You love to contribute and make your community better and guess what? This makes you feel better too.
You know the saying: “If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.”
This brings me to my second point.
2) You give others without telling
You understand there are people in need, and that’s why from time to time, you check your belongings to see if there’s anything you can give forward.
These can be the clothes you never wore (we all have these in our closets), furniture you don’t need anymore, or even game consoles you don’t use that can bring a smile to some kid’s face.
You also check if you have food you don’t need so you bring it to your local shelter.
Ultimately, you prefer to remain behind the scenes and don’t announce your donations. You’re humble enough to help others and not have any ulterior motives, but this also makes you happy.
3) You try to listen actively and without judgment
Sometimes we give more to others by just listening to what they have to say. There is one important word here, and that’s the word “try”.
We all find ourselves sometimes in situations where we judge others because their experience doesn’t match ours or where we’re not actually listening.
But let me tell you something:
You’re a human being, and if you’re aware of these situations and you try to listen more and actually understand, then that’s an act of generosity by itself.
By doing this, you’re empathetic, and you offer a listening ear, and with that, others feel validated and less alone.
4) You support the dreams of those around you
By supporting the dreams of those around you, you’re supporting their ambitions, and you help them pursue their dreams by investing your time and energy.
How, you ask?
Well, you’re there for them. You’re present. If they have difficulty studying, you remind them why they’re studying.
If they have difficulty understanding something, you try to understand it as well. You share your knowledge and skills, and you empower others to grow and achieve their goals.
During my studies, my very good friend and colleague supported me when I failed one of the most important exams.
She was there for me and helped me study for the exam again, and again. If you’re anything like my friend, then you’re a great and generous person.
You’re there for people and you help them grow and develop.
5) You’re happy when others succeed
As I just mentioned, supporting the dreams of those around you is a generous act.
But what is also generous is feeling pleased and being there when they succeed. You celebrate every little milestone they accomplish, in person, or on the phone.
But you are not just joyful for people close to you. You’re incredibly happy when others succeed in general.
Instead of feeling envious or competitive, you genuinely celebrate the achievements of others, showing a generous spirit that lifts people up rather than tearing them down.
6) You randomly express kindness
You do small acts of kindness on a daily basis, not making much of it. But they actually demonstrate your generosity and genuine care for others.
Let’s go through a few examples of random kindness that actually show how generous you are and how you made someone’s day much better.
- Sometimes you pay for a stranger’s coffee or chip in if someone is missing a few bucks at the shop counter
- You hold the door open for someone
- You offer to help carry groceries or bags if you see a person needs help
- You offer your seat to someone on public transport
- You let someone go ahead of you in line at the store
- You support a local business by leaving positive reviews online
Random acts of kindness can brighten someone’s day, spread positivity, and show how generous you are.
7) You recognize little details
Remembering and acknowledging the little details about people and what they share with you shows you genuinely care about their well-being and happiness.
When you talk to people and occasionally mention topics related to their interests and ask about their recent experiences, you’re also showing generosity.
Above all, you’re trying to pay more attention to their tastes and experiences, and with that, you show how much you value and remember their passions, even if that passion is a favorite cup of coffee.
8) You always give a second chance
Not everyone is a strong believer in second chances, and let’s be honest, some people really don’t deserve them, especially in situations where you have to protect yourself and your well-being.
But not all situations are the same, and when you offer second chances and forgiveness, you show your belief in their potential for growth and in positive change in others.
I found myself in a situation where my friend borrowed some money from me, and after a good few months passed, he didn’t return it to me.
I felt disappointed and a bit hurt by the situation, but also tried to understand that sometimes people face financial difficulties.
And recently, he reached out to me and said he regrets not repaying the debt as promised. Just as I thought, he had unexpected financial difficulties and is now in a better position to repay the borrowed amount.
Instead of resenting him, I decided to give my friend a second chance and see how we can work through the repayment plan that suits both of us.
Generosity is also allowing people to learn from their mistakes and improve. And if you recognize yourself in this sentence, then you’re a very generous person.
9) You offer help without being asked
Your readiness to help others, even without being asked, shows you’re aware of people’s needs and genuinely care about their welfare.
In my last job, I worked very long hours and my friend made a surprise meal for me.
I didn’t have time to cook, so my friend prepared a home-cooked meal and dropped it off at my doorstep.
Their simple act of generosity meant the world to me (and my stomach too).
10) You praise and compliment others
You are a generous person if you freely express appreciation to others and if you recognize their effort and their achievements.
If you ever praised the hard work of your colleague or the dedication of your own child, then that is a sign of generosity and with that, you boost their confidence and self-esteem.
11) You encourage others to go “out there” and try
I’m sure you have friends who were scared of a job interview, or moving to a different town, for example.
But you were there for them and encouraged them to try new things, which lead to new opportunities, new experiences, and personal growth.
By encouraging and believing in someone’s strengths, you help boost their confidence and inspire them to explore opportunities outside their comfort zone and that is very generous of you.
12) You put others first
When you put others first, you prioritize their needs, concerns, and happiness before your own.
For example, you cancel your hike with your friend because your family member is in trouble, and you go and help them instead.
But you also gently explain the situation to your friend and the reasons behind canceling. By doing it this way, you show generosity and courtesy to everyone involved.
But in the process, you shouldn’t completely forget to take care of yourself. As soon as the crisis is over you should continue with your plans and try to extend kindness to yourself too.
Final thoughts
Some people won’t care one bit how generous you are and won’t even see it or recognize it.
But the most important thing is that you know. And after reading this article, I think you know the answer to that question.
