Stop It!

First, a side note.  I wonder if we'll consider the 2010's as the decade of the internet memes... I first heard the word meme a couple of years ago.  From Wikipedia:

 A meme ( /ˈmiːm/; meem)^[1] is "an idea, behavior or style that spreads from person to person within a culture."^[2] A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols or practices, which can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals or other imitable phenomena. Supporters of the concept regard memes as cultural analogues to genes in that they self-replicate, mutate and respond to selective pressures.^[3]

Most of that selectivity and replication and self-replication is on Facebook.  The originals all were an image with a black border and a brief phrase below, like a motivational poster.  Then they were superimposed dialogue on interesting pictures.  Then there was the "What you think you do/what your mom thinks you do... etc" and the simple vintage-style line drawings with a housewife and a caption.

Well the context for my thinking about this is when I was reviewing the LDS General Conference talk given in October 2012 by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf entitled "The Merciful Obtain Mercy." The talk was wonderfully pointed and motivational to the end of forgiving those who offend us, avoiding casting judgement, and seeing our fellow man from the perspective that God sees them.  The main punchline was that the solution to these ills is "STOP IT!"  (Elder Uchtdorf always has quotable quotes.)  You can see where this is headed.

And sure enough there are many to choose from.  Here's one that highlights the main take-away of the talk:

Here's another designer's version.  Briefer, to the point.

I like this one, too, as it is simple, direct, to the point.  I could envision this being framed art or wall art or passed around on Facebook.

You want more choices?  Google with keywords 'stop it Uchtdorf' or some combination thereof, and you get a whole host of options.  Honestly!  People must have really felt motivated by those words!  It's not that they are so interesting or remarkable or intricate; the secret to extending mercy is to simply stop judging. 

Please review the talk for all its simplicity.  If you want to see what a living prophet of God looks like, you can watch this two minute snippet.

Highlights?

Forgiving ourselves and others is not easy. In fact, for most of us it requires a major change in our attitude and way of thinking—even a change of heart. But there is good news. This “mighty change”⁸ of heart is exactly what the gospel of Jesus Christ is designed to bring into our lives.

How is it done? Through the love of God.

When our hearts are filled with the love of God, something good and pure happens to us. We “keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.”⁹

The more we allow the love of God to govern our minds and emotions—the more we allow our love for our Heavenly Father to swell within our hearts—the easier it is to love others with the pure love of Christ. As we open our hearts to the glowing dawn of the love of God, the darkness and cold of animosity and envy will eventually fade.

 Then jumping to the end: 

Brothers and sisters, there is enough heartache and sorrow in this life without our adding to it through our own stubbornness, bitterness, and resentment. We are not perfect. The people around us are not perfect.¹⁹ People do things that annoy, disappoint, and anger. In this mortal life it will always be that way.

Nevertheless, we must let go of our grievances. Part of the purpose of mortality is to learn how to let go of such things. That is the Lord’s way.Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive.

Lay your burden at the Savior’s feet. Let go of judgment. Allow Christ’s Atonement to change and heal your heart. Love one another. Forgive one another. The merciful will obtain mercy.

Of this I testify in the name of the One who loved so well and so completely that He gave His life for us, His friends—in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 I am Joseph Jackson and I approve of this message.  (Isn't it remarkably simple, yet true?)

Things I like about Jen.

This was another blog topic fed to me by my dear one.

Here are 31 things I like about Jen.  Arbitrary number, of course.

1. She is a fantastic writer.  She wrote me emails, missionary letters, AIM chats, lunch love notes and the like throughout our courtship which were well-thought-out and lovely to read.
2. She is thoughtful.  She sends people cookies, black beans, and cake mixes in the mail when their local grocery options are limited.  
3. She is an extraordinary cook.  She has a great command of a whisk and other kitchen paraphenalia, and can innovate upon a recipe to make it taste better.
4. She is compassionate.  Early in our marriage she brought up the idea of "giving a gift to Jesus" which really entailed giving financially for the benefit of the poor and needy.  I was touched.
5. She's a cautious driver.  Jen keeps the rules of the road and gives plenty of space to the hooligans who drive around here.  She even coaches to help this hooligan drive more courteously.
6. She is punctual.  When I have a place to be with Jen, we are never late.  It's quite nice to be early to meetings/classes/appointments, because then we get a good seat and can be calm.
7. She's got the softest skin.  This one is a little harder to observe if you're not nearby.  She passed on the soft skin gene to Blake also, who is kissably soft.
8. She has a sense of fashion.  Not only does that keep her snappily dressed, but it helps me up my game.  I receive compliments on days I wear clothing Jen picked out or purchased.
9. She's very intelligent.  She keeps up with current events among our nation and the nations of the world.  She knows the opinions of people I've never heard of, and knows why countries are hurting.
10. She's a cartophile.  Have you been to our house to see the Map of the World Showercurtain?  It's yet one more reason to take a long, warm shower when you come to New Engla nd.
11. Fall is her favorite season. I had never thought through my reasons to have a favorite season, because they all have something to offer.  But to a Mainer, the world is just crisper and more beautiful in fall.
12. Her hair.  Oh, her hair.  Have you seen it recently?  It shines, has a little curl, and she has discovered how to be the "hair whisperer" to make it into the most beautiful array of locks.
13. She is thrifty.  She can take $5 and turn it into something wonderful, through yard sales, thrifting, deal-hunting, or innovating with items on hand.  She's also willing to leave the money in the bank.
14. She is crafty.  And who doesn't like a craft?  She's handy with a glue gun, sewing machine, vinyl cutter, photo editing software, cross-stitch, and crochet hook.  Yeah, all of the above.
15. She likes to hand-stitch the bindings on her quilts.  Yeah, I didn't know what a binding was a few years ago.  But Jen has a knack for it, and makes some beautiful fabric creations.
16. She's got the cutest wrinkly-nose smile.  She used to do it alot more, but I guess I teased it away.  My comments weren't supposed to scare it into submission, but I don't see those wrinkles much anymore.
17. She's got compassion for children.  She doesn't even have to know them, and her heart swells up with desires for their well-being.  It grieves her soul when help is beyond her control.
18. She takes immaculate notes.  She was a research office secretary, then a Department secretary at BYU's business school, so she has a talent for connecting her ears to her hands to paper.
19. She can type like a hundred words per minute, or something obscenely fast, at least.  And she only uses 6 fingers, folks!  It's amazing.  I admire that she could use that skill to pump out college papers.
20. She wants me to succeed.  She urged me into my educational plan, she helps prep me for business meetings, she lets me try out new handyman projects to see if they work.
21. She has a beautiful alto singing voice.  We used to sing in the choir together, and it was lots of fun to be able to pick her voice out among the other altos.  I guess that comes of years of listening to her.
22. She can tickle the ivories, too!  It's one of my favorite things to brag about on Jen's behalf, and perhaps one of the things that embarrasses Jen the most when I tell them.  She really is talented.
23. She's humble about her skill-set.  Though, she really could give herself more credit for being awesome.  She is a woman so well-versed that she doesn't need to be shy about it, after all.
24. She gave me children.  That is to say, she and I are raising 2.5 sons together, and I love that she has dedicated her professional life to rearing them in love and righteousness.  I love that she loves them.
25. She shops with a grocery list.  This is no ordinary grocery list either.  It's based upon a weekly menu.  And charted out according the store floor-plan.  And has target prices for the produce aisle.
26. She can drive a stick-shift.  We honeymooned driving a Plymouth Sundance.  Then our first summer together, we borrowed the Justy.  Then we bought the Outback, the car of my dreams.
27. She wants me to have a garage.  To house my workshop.  And my canoe.  Which garage would naturally be attached to a house in a suburb or rural area.  In which we'll raise our posse of children.
28. She prioritizes clean sheets.  This means that I get that crisp fresh feeling on a regular basis and sleep well at night with the tight weave tickling my toes.
29. She enjoys charts.  Including my geeky charts about our family energy consumption, budget, or height.  She offers to help me create charts to help me organize for my calling at church, etc.
30. She appreciates antiques.  I see much beauty in things as they were, and really enjoy seeing things persist across generations.  Hand-me-down vintage clothing, old furniture, tools, appliances.  Neat!
31. She knows I love her.  The reason I like it is because knowing that she knows makes it so much easier to step aside from disagreements and refocus on the big picture sometimes.

On Encouragement

Perhaps among the most admirable, motivating character traits I could describe is encouragement.

I remember having my parents, teachers, grandparents, and other adults often give encouragement and advice.  These wise folks have told me that I was doing a good job, have nudged me along when I was feeling tired or insignificant, or have given me ideas for other approaches to try to solve my problems.  And you know what?  These types of remarks make a contribution to my life.

When in college, I remember a Sunday School class once where for some reason we were decomposing character traits of good teachers or good friends or whatever, and what I remember taking from that lesson is that there are people in this world that make me feel better about myself because they compliment regarding what I am good at doing.  These people are the first to notice successes and cheer others along even if they haven't been able to see the end of their quest yet.  There's a sense of gratitude for other people's efforts, regardless of the outcome.  Several men in my apartment building were masters of the art of encouragement, and they were positively a blessing to all of us peers.

I believe these words from a prophet of God, Elder Henry B. Eyring, (Oct, 2012, Help Them Aim High)

Every person is different and has a different contribution to make. No one is destined to fail. As you seek revelation to see gifts God sees in those you lead in the priesthood—particularly the young—you will be blessed to lift their sights to the service they can perform. With your guidance, those you lead will be able to see, want, and believe they can achieve their full potential for service in God’s kingdom.

Part of it I believe is like coaching.  You know, the "teaching the man to fish" paradigm.  Or if you aren't teaching him, at least you are motivating him to learn to fish.  The other part, I think is the principle of lifting a man when he is down.

The last couple of weeks, my spare-time Netflix show has been watching old seasons of Merlin, a BBC production of various adventures in Camelot, starring Colin Morgan.  It's over-the-top dramatically with alot of cliche script, but it really works for the series.  Since it is based on legend, when you listen to the delivery of the lines, you almost come to believe that the cliche is only cliche because the Arthurian legends is where it all began, and has been imitated ever since then.

Episode 3.2 as they are readying for battle against an enemy of Camelot, where they are estimated to be out-numbered 2 to 1, there is an uncharacteristic pep-talk that takes place between the prince and his servant.  In this series, Merlin is a "closeted" warlock, as magic is outlawed in Camelot.  Arthur believes Merlin to be a clumsy oaf, though it's really Merlin who secretly saves Arthur from a variety of dangerous circumstances.  When you read this, add a dramatic score in your mind, insert pauses and serious eyes staring between the characters.

Arthur:  It's not like you to get nervous, is it Merlin?
Merlin: I'm not nervous.
Arthur: No?
Merlin: Because I trust in your destiny.
Arthur: Have you been on the cider?
Merlin: {Draws sword to give to Arthur} It is your fate to be the greatest King Camelot has ever known.  And your victory today will be remembered by every age until the end of time.
Arthur: {Accepts sword.}
Merlin: Just trust in yourself.
[Long pause]
Arthur: There are times, Merlin, when you display a sort of-- I don't know what it is--What is it?--It's not wisdom--Yes.  That's what it is.
Don't look so pleased, the rest of the time you are a complete idiot.

These words were undoubtedly encouraging and strengthening.  The writers could have done better than this cheesy exchange, no doubt, but it works with the theme.  I guess to look at a nobler source, here are several quotes from the Bible under several related topics:


Don't be afraid Deut 31:6
17 For our light ^aaffliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and ^beternal ^cweight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are ^aseen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen aretemporal; but the things which are not ^bseen are ^ceternal.

6 Be strong and of a good ^acourage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the ^bLord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not ^cfail thee, nor ^dforsake thee.

It won't be so bad 1 Cor 10:13

13 There hath no temptation ^ataken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be^btempted above that ye are able; but will with the ^ctemptationalso make a way to ^descape, that ye may be able to ^ebear it.

Overcoming 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the ^ainward man is renewed day by day.

Peace John 14:27

27 ^aPeace I leave with you, my ^bpeace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be ^ctroubled, neither let it be afraid.

Constancy Deuteronomy 7:9 

9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which ^akeepeth covenant and ^bmercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Seems like there are lots of aspects to this.  On the person to person side, I suppose encouragement also includes being a good listener.  Yes, I feel most validated and encouraged when someone listens to me as though what I have to say is important.  It's a part of the interpersonal relationship that uplifts and inspires.

Mostly Done.

This is a treatise on Why I don't untie my shoes.

Not that it's a newsworthy topic, but when I asked Jen at the beginning of the month what she thought I should write about, this is one of the ideas she pitched.  So here goes.

First an image of a cute puppy.   He almost made it.  via.

Have you ever been in a situation where you had a job to do, and you realized that the constraints were so tight that you could do 50% of the job and get 95% of the benefit?  It sounds terrible, I know.  The words, lazy, slacker, unmotivated, and half-hearted come to my mind.  None of these are words that I imagine anyone wants to use to describe themselves.  They are the type of words that you'll never find on a resume, that you'll never hear a person pride themselves in, and that you'll probably never hear come from someone's mouth with a smile on their face.

BUT--

What about the other side of the coin?  You know-- the "glass half full" interpretation of that situation.  In the financial world, people get huge bonuses for ideas like that.  People use the words efficient, savvy, innovative, and advantage.  I see a whole side of the issue that says that given a limited set of resources, where can I get the largest return on a minimum investment?

I think this is how I see the "To untie or not to untie" debate.  To me, untying shoes that will just need to be tied again is somewhat of a waste of (time) resources.  In a world where clogs and slip-on shoes abound, why not just loosely tie the shoes so they can effectively be slip-ons?   Granted, there are athletic shoes that need to be cinched up to perform properly, as you shouldn't hike, run, climb in loose-fitting shoes.  But cruising around the office?  Or walking to school?  Sounds acceptably leisurely to me.  And what of the "You'll break the heel!" argument?  Well, it's a good one, especially if the shoe is tied so tightly that they do not approximate the comfort of slip-on shoes.  Therefore, if you have to wriggle and jam your feet to get the heel to slide into a tied shoe... you better untie them.  But if you can easily shoe-horn the footwear on-- I say go for it.  Leave them tied.

Shoes aren't the only domain where people historically give a half-hearted effort.  Here are a bunch of stereotypical and otherwise examples of people doing 50% of the work to get 95% of the benefit.  Consider:

• Make bed-- or at least pull the covers up.
• Close the bathroom door--or at least swing it so it obscures the toilet.
• Put the toilet seat and cover down--or at least don't leave a mess.
• Take the trash out at the end of the night--or at least get to it when it's full.
• Put away the folded laundry--or at least put the clean stack in your room.
• Put dirty clothes in the hamper--or at least gather them on laundry day.
• Throw away the gas station receipts--or at least get to them on semi-annual car cleanout day.
• Put things away--or at least stack things at the bottom/top of the stairs for the next trip up.
• Take care of the yard--or at least mow the lawn but not trim around the edges.
• Get all your shopping done--or at least get the food in the trunk and let the next person put the cart away.
• Get on your Sunday best--or at least sling a pre-tied necktie loosely over your unbuttoned collar.
• Put your toys away--at least so they don't get run over (even if they'll still get rained on).
• Write a great paper--or at least get the polished draft written without spell-checking.

See what I mean?  There are LOTS of ways that we go halfsies to mostly get the job done.  People have their "things", you know?  I put away my dirty laundry and clean laundry, but I don't tie my shoes. 

Listening while spinning

via.

I think having compression waves turn into electrical impulses is genius.  Whoever designed the ear really knew what He was doing.

Think of it, a way for us to say what we are thinking, and potentially have others understand in THEIR HEADS what is going on in our heads.  Amazing.  Almost as good as telepathy, but it takes effort on the part of the giver and receiver (speaker and listener).

From the website that I referenced that image, I see a list of symptoms of hearing loss.  Let's have a look:

Symptoms of Hearing Loss:

1. Hearing but not understanding
2. Turning up the volume on the TV
3. Must lip read to understand speech
4. Cannot hear environmental sounds such as game calls, traps releasing, crickets, etc.
5. Strained personal relationships, denial
6. Social withdrawal
7. Fatigue and stress

Now you ask, why do I bring this up on voting day instead of posting an "I voted" sticker like all the other bloggers today?  Have you ever noticed that some people are bent on taking a person's words and crafting it into what they want to hear?   They "listen" with a SLANT on what is really said.  I call it "Middle School Banter" because I remember playing that game where you take someone's words completely out of context and then ridicule them for it.  Middle school was rough.  I've repented of going to middle school.  I promise to never go again. Well, I was reminded of that recently when I read a blog post where the author used the word Gringa to refer to herself in a very benign way as a white girl living in Mexico, and a commenter thought the word was incindiary/hateful/inappropriate.  I thought that was a bit out of context for what the author had intended.  

In the run up to voting day, we have seen similar tactics to incite constituents to become incredulous about "the other guy's" foibles.  Honestly-- attach to spin or cast doubt on E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G the other speaker is saying?  Does someone have an over-active cochlea, and that spiral doo-hickey is just making the words SPIN on their own?  Calm down people!

Even still, I recognize that when I send a quick email, there is not always intonation or inflection for people to "hear" my voice in the written word to know what I'm intending. (Emoticons, anyone, to cure abruptness? :-)) A friend once suggested always including a compliment or praise with typed communication, because it can knock off the rough edges of poorly written emails.  I write dozens of emails every week, so I should spend more time praising.  

I know that when people are in disagreement, their brains already are trained to listen for the weak spot of the opposition, highlighting differences.  This, to me, is highly evident in the advertisements for campaigns over the last several months, and I see this in heated web conversations.  We could reprise the "Symptoms of Hearing Loss" and turn it into "Symptoms of Poor Listening" based on what we've heard this campaign season, I think:

Symptoms of Poor Listening:

1. Hearing but not responding to the moderator's or other candidate's questions.
2. Turning up the volume on your voice to speak over the other guy.
3. Giving "lip service" to people's probing questions before changing the subject to your prepared talking points.
4. Cannot process environmental context of what the speaker meant when he said something to a specific audience on a specific date.
5. Personal relationships only to initiate skepticism of the other candidate.
6. Party-specific social withdrawal, unwilling to compromise "across the aisle".
7. Fatigue and stress from defending, then attacking.

My approach is that 
1. Everyone is entitled to have a bad day now and again, and say something stupid.
2. Some people will never be eloquent, and will say things that are easily taken out of context.
3. Just because a person says something doesn't mean that it is right/true/accurate/unchangeable.
4. There are very few people in this world who are "out to get you".

So instead, consider this: what were they trying to say?  Instead of assuming the worst, assume the best in everyone.  Then everyone gets a pass and you never feel grumpy for very long.

And for the record: at the time of writing this, I still don't know who I'm going to vote for.  It's tough to see through the bickering of two people who want to be diametrically opposed sometimes.  I'd more likely vote for the person who's a centrist, wanting to bring us all together for the G.G.-- you know, the greater good.

Generosity

The interesting thing about this topic is that I had picked this out last week to be my final Sunday subject for my month of blogging, and lo and behold, what do we read tonight for family scripture time?  King Benjamin's sermon in Mosiah Chapter 4 from the Book of Mormon.  The portion we read tonight was within Mosiah 4:11-30.  

The reason I've been thinking about this is that I have been considering how the world sees tithes and offerings, charitable giving, and philanthropic efforts.  One prevailing view is that if you have more you should give more.  (I won't pretend that some of my thought process hasn't been shaped by news stories and discussions on tax code and how to balance the budget).  On the other side of charitable giving is the concept of a deal-hunt, where one objective of people at large (including myself) is to think first about preserving the best deal, the best economical choice for myself, and being willing to haggle or walk away.  I have gotten bargains where I felt I was getting an absolute steal (in fact a few times such a good deal that I felt that I was taking advantage:  like couponing at Shaw's and getting $30 worth of stuff for basically free.)

The main problem is when our purchase mentality crosses over into our generosity mentality.  Do we really want to be the person to nickel and dime the Lord?  As a corollary, who can we be generous to, if not Him?

Here are a few verses highlighting what we read from the Book of Mormon tonight, which taught me a wonderful lesson.  The framework is King Benjamin talking to the believers who have received forgiveness and applied the joy of gospel living to their lives:

11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have ^atasted of his love, and have received a ^bremission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own ^cnothingness, and his^dgoodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of^ehumility, ^fcalling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing^gsteadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.
 12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the ^alove of God, and always ^bretain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the ^cknowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.
 13 And ye will not have a ^amind to injure one another, but to live ^bpeaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due.

Okay, so this is the first mention of dealing justly with fellow man.  "Rendering to every man" as far as being honest in making and keeping contracts.  The next part is about being good providers to your children, and be a provider to anyone who stands in need.  

 14 And ye will not suffer your ^achildren that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye ^bsuffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and ^cquarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the ^devil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness.
 15 But ye will ^ateach them to ^bwalk in the ways of truth and^csoberness; ye will teach them to ^dlove one another, and to serve one another.
 16 And also, ye yourselves will ^asuccor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the^bbeggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.

Seriously?   Administer to all that stand in need, even the beggar?  Maybe this is more like that friend than I thought.  Looking back up to where this started from in verse 11, I see that these are traits of those who have tasted of God's love and retain in their remembrance the greatness and long-suffering of God toward us.  They are traits that become evidence of our receiving God and and attributing our blessings to Him.

 17 Perhaps thou shalt ^asay: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—
 18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.
 19 For behold, are we not all ^abeggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?
 20 And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a ^aremission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his ^bSpirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with ^cjoy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.
 21 And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to ^aimpartof the substance that ye have one to another.

These verses speak to my heart.  Everything that I have is attributable to God.  Much of these blessings have come regardless of my weaknesses and failures.  And yet.  And yet why do I have such a hard time being charitable sometimes?

 22 And if ye ^ajudge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your ^bcondemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom also your life ^cbelongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done.
 23 I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his substance shall perish with him; and now, I say these things unto those who are^arich as pertaining to the things of this world.
 24 And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I ^agive not because I ^bhave not, but if I had I would ^cgive.
 25 And now, if ye say this in your hearts ye remain guiltless, otherwise ye are ^acondemned; and your condemnation is just for ye covet that which ye have not received.
 26 And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may ^awalk guiltless before God—I would that ye should ^bimpart of your substance to the ^cpoor, every man according to that which he hath, such as ^dfeedingthe hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.

It's not that I have to be rich or notorious to give.  Sure I can't give hundreds if all I have is tens.  But if I have tens, I can give of the tens.  If I have ones, I can give of the ones.  There is an opportunity to give and be generous regardless of the magnitude of the giving.  Hence, the size of the gift does not indicate the degree of generosity.  Instead, it's about consistency, diligence, and intent.

 27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and ^aorder; for it is not requisite that a man should run ^bfaster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.

It's about being accountable for the things that we've been given, the things we've been loaned, and the things that we have ourselves begged for.

 28 And I would that ye should remember, that whosoever among you ^aborroweth of his neighbor should return the thing that he borroweth, according as he doth agree, or else thou shalt commit sin; and perhaps thou shalt cause thy neighbor to commit sin also.

It's about standing tall and doing what's right, even if it's not an easy path.  It's about helping others make good decisions by offering encouragement and counsel.

 29 And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.
 30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not ^awatchyourselves, and your ^bthoughts, and your ^cwords, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and ^dcontinuein the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.

Ultimately, I think it comes down to remembering.  If we start to be a "big guy," but always remember where we have come from and where our breaks have come from and what factors have combined for our good beyond what we deserve, we will be more inclined to be a factor for good for other people.  We will help open doorways for others, we will answer the call when the Holy Spirit guides us to lift a weary head or comfort the downtrodden.  We will give more tirelessly, since we know that everything that we ARE is a direct result of our relationship to Him.   We are Children of a King, and (vs 19) depend upon him for all of the riches of every kind we have received, or could ever receive.

In that context, why should we resist distributing the riches of every kind in the same manner that He does?