Looking at the list of 8 experiences of unhappiness in my earlier post on the eightfold path to joy, it becomes obvious that many of these show up in our difficulties and grievances with others in our life and our world.

So, simple generosity can be a compelling anitidote to many of them:

• Trying to make sense of someone's dissatisfying weaknesses and inconsistencies
• Feeling helpless in the face of another debilitating loss, suffering, pain
• Waiting for someone to offer, invite, give, or ask for something we value
• Being defensive in the face of another's criticism or unfulfillable demands
• Feeling like someone has given us less than we believe we deserve, expect or have earned
• Being irritated, impatient, critical, or disappointed in someone
• Feeling inadequate with someone who has achieved or owns more than we do

Each of these can be an excuse for the postponement and denial of simple generosity. Just a few small acts of simple generosity can liberate us from these.