Building a cathedral for your soul: generosity as a virtue and a practice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the virtue of generosity as it relates to how we are what we are.


METHODS
Systematic review of the literature.


RESULTS
Generosity has to do with our very being and our behaving, with our living as caring, respectful, courteous, grace-giving people. Authentic generosity is rooted in our unique sense of calling. Generosity is an interactive, interpersonal two-way relationship of trust and respect between doctor and patient, student and teacher. How do we nurture generosity? Generous people are reflective people who take inventory of their souls.


CONCLUSIONS
Building a cathedral for your soul has to do with tomorrow as well as with today, with how we choose to be remembered, and with the kind of spiritual legacy that we are crafting by the way we live.
Enright
William G
WG
Center on Philanthrophy, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Miyamoto
Richard T
RT
D026686:Beneficence; D037921:Gift Giving; D010684:Philosophy