Hi everyone, and welcome to the 🌿 OGA 🌿 blog. As a co-founder of Opportunities for Grassroots Action, I’m honored to share a reflection that’s been heavy on my mind recently—a deep dive into the nature of generosity and the uncomfortable truth about why true collective action is so difficult.
The Illusion of Reciprocity
In our professional and community networks, we often witness a clear imbalance: a few individuals consistently championing others and offering support, while receiving little in return. We are generally programmed to enjoy receiving but less inclined to initiate giving. We say “thank you,” but often fail to reciprocate the favor without being explicitly asked.
This passive self-centeredness is a subtle yet pervasive barrier to strong communities. When small gestures of kindness—a greeting, a compliment, a word of appreciation—are consistently met with silence, the emotional labor falls on those few who choose to continue being the “drop in the ocean,” challenging the apathy around them. They are often dismissed as “intense” or “annoying” for their unwavering commitment to connection.
The Comfort Trap and Unacknowledged Biases
We are masters of self-importance. We cite our “busyness” and our high-stakes titles—bosses, professionals, investors—as shields. This self-focus, however, leads to profound cognitive gaps when true collective action is needed.
Our commitment as “allies” or “supporters” often has a limit. When someone from a historically underrepresented minority gains prominence, the initial cheer turns into subtle belittling or feeling threatened. Worse, when confronted with truly ugly and devastating global events, many retreat into the flawed Western psychology of “me first,” convincing themselves that ignoring the collective suffering is a valid form of “preserving mental health.” These unacknowledged biases prevent us from engaging fully.
This approach turns us into a disassociated crowd, cheering for the superficial while vehemently ignoring the systemic issues that would force us to look inward and scrutinize our own choices. We quickly resort to palliative measures—endless consumption, superficial “pampering,” or escaping into busywork—to avoid the necessary discomfort of self-reflection and genuine engagement.
The Generosity We Need
True generosity is not about doing something and expecting an immediate return. It’s about rejecting the notion that it is normal not to reciprocate kindness unless reminded or insisted upon. That expectation undermines the very essence of collective spirit.
This is not about chasing validation; it’s about shifting our focus. We must stop attacking and blaming others—the government, the system, political figures—and instead, pause to reflect.
The world works in reverse of our selfish pride: we have to be generous and feel it before we see it in our lives. We need to become fluid, share, and reciprocate the kindness we receive. That is how the magic of synchronicity happens, leading to true abundance in ideas, partnerships, funds, and solid networks of genuine support.
A Call to OGA Action
As a member of the 🌿 OGA 🌿 community, our wish must be simple: May we all be more generous and less focused on ourselves alone.
Let us actively seek out and tolerate the discomforts necessary for the collective and common good. Justice and true connection will only come when we are united and understand that the problems of humanity are inherently our problems as humans.
This is a heartfelt call to action for our community and for every person reading this. Let’s make the collective “us” the priority this week.
Original article posted on LinkedIn.
