Generosity creates connection

#WeeklyNRG – A Snapshot of All Things #NRG 

This week’s theme? Generosity creates connection. Sometimes it is giving our time, sometimes sharing what we have, and sometimes simply making room for someone else. The result is often far greater than the gesture itself. 

The Weekly Debrief 

Well, what a week that was. Mum and Dad came to visit us in France for the first time, and it was certainly an adventure from the very beginning. I travelled to London to collect them, only for the original UK train to be cancelled the night before. Cue me running around London to secure seats on the next available train. We just made it to the Eurostar in time — and from there, the adventure was properly underway. 

Travelling across Paris by taxi meant Dad could see the sights without having to walk too far. We took in the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and a little of the magic of Paris before heading down to the Loire. It was lovely to share that experience with them and see the area through fresh eyes. 

Over the week, we balanced rest days with doing days — an important combination when you are determined to make memories but also need to respect energy levels. We visited the Saumur Tank Museum, Fontevraud Abbey, Chinon, Saumur Château and La Touraine. We also went to Pierre de Lumière, where local historic monuments are carved from tufa stone. It was hugely impressive — and, rather embarrassingly, the first time I had been myself! 

There was still work to do, of course. We had a couple of gîte turnarounds during the week, but the guests were so lovely that we invited them to join us for drinks one evening. It was brilliant to meet people from another part of France — especially when we discovered one of them worked for the Normandy Tourist Board. You never know where a friendly conversation might lead. 

The Week Ahead 

The week ahead is about easing back into the usual rhythm of work, while holding on to some of the energy from a very special week. There will be meetings, catch-ups and the usual responsibilities, but I want to carry forward the reminder that busy does not have to mean disconnected. 

I’m also taking with me a renewed appreciation for the small acts that make people feel welcome. Whether it is inviting guests for a drink, sharing something from the garden, or giving someone a place to rest, those moments create a sense of community that no diary entry can quite capture. 

Lessons Learnt 

This week gave us plenty of opportunities to be generous with our time and resources. Our grapevine had become so heavy that it pulled itself away from the wall, so we had to cut it back. Rather than see the grapes go to waste, we gave away five buckets — around 10kg — to neighbours, passers-by and the local bar. People were so grateful, and it was a simple pleasure to share something we had in abundance. 

We also welcomed two French women who had been walking all day and needed somewhere to camp for the night. The next morning, we woke at 7am to a gift of croissants and a handwritten note of thanks. A small kindness had travelled both ways — and the photo of their note is a lovely reminder of that. 

It made me think of Kind by Graham Allcott and its central message: kindness is not soft or insignificant; it is practical, intentional and powerful. This week reminded me that patience, generosity and time spent with people we love are not distractions from a meaningful life. They are the point of it. 

Here’s to sharing what we can, welcoming people in, and remembering that generosity creates connection — and the best kind of #NRG. 

Question for you: What small act of generosity could you offer this week — with your time, your attention or something you have to share?