One for the Pot

When I was a little kid and my mother was making coffee in a coffee pot, she would count out loud the number of scoops that she was putting in to match the number of cups she wanted, but she would always add an extra scoop at the end, and she would say,” and one for the pot.”

When I was sharing that with some family and friends recently, people told me similar stories of a parent or other loved one who would add something else, not just coffee, but one person even mentioned when someone she knew was making scrambled eggs, she would add an extra egg.

It is so interesting that this sort of ethic of adding one more thing so that everybody gets a little more, or that it’s a little better for everyone, that serves as a great metaphor for life, that when we’re helping another person for example, doing one more extra thing, or putting in a little extra effort, can make a difference to that person.

It is good to know that whether we’re talking about cooking or helping other human beings, that adding one more thing can make all the difference.

Overall, generosity enriches both the giver and the recipient. When we adopt the mindset of “adding one more thing,” we open ourselves up to the possibility of making a greater impact in the lives of those around us. Just as adding an extra scoop of coffee or an additional egg can enhance the flavor of a meal, going above and beyond in our interactions with others can bring greater depth and meaning to our relationships.

One way to practice generosity is by actively looking for opportunities to serve others in unexpected ways. Whether it’s offering a listening a little more attentively to a friend in need, lending a helping hand to a stranger, or simply offering a word of encouragement, each small act of kindness has the potential to create a ripple effect of positivity. By being attuned to the needs of others and willing to extend ourselves beyond what is expected, we can create a culture of generosity within our families, on our work teams, and in the communities where we live that have a great potential impact.