It's as if rules have fallen on us from above: a woman should be careful with money, not waste it, and a man should definitely be the one who pays and owns everything. But my faith and personal experience suggest that everything is a little more complicated and interesting.

When I think about generosity, the first thing that comes to mind is the words from the Catholic tradition: to be generous means not just sharing money, but giving your time, attention, love, and support. This is a call not to be afraid to open up, to meet each other halfway, to be ready to give and receive. And yes, I am talking specifically about women. Because we are often told to "be thrifty, don't be too open, don't give yourself and your resources away left and right." But the truth is that generosity is a gift that liberates and fills.

For me personally, this is an important lesson that is not always easy to accept. When I was young, I thought that if I was generous with my finances, I might be misunderstood, considered frivolous or even weak. But over time, I realized that true generosity is not about losing control or being vulnerable. It is about trust - in yourself, in the world, and in those around you. When you are generous, it does not mean that you give away every last penny. It means that you are not afraid to give those around you a little more than just the "bare minimum for survival."

I think men sometimes have a hard time accepting this approach, especially in a society where they are traditionally expected to be the breadwinners and keepers of financial stability. But in my faith, there is an understanding that a man should not be afraid to take, to accept a woman's help and generosity. This is not a sign of weakness or dependence, but a sign of mutual respect and trust. After all, when a man knows how to take what a woman sincerely gives, this is also an act of courage. It is the ability to be open and grateful.

Sometimes I felt an internal resistance: what if I give, and they think it’s his debt? What if some people start to think I’m obligated? But my faith teaches me that generosity is freedom, not an obligation. It comes from love and kindness, not from a sense of duty or fear. And if it’s sincere, if it’s from the heart, then such gifts only bring people closer and make relationships real.

Of course, there are different situations in life. It happens that a man wants to pay, care and share, and that’s wonderful. It happens that he learns to accept gifts and help — and that’s also wonderful. The main thing is that everything should be honest, with open hearts and mutual respect.

I often think that our faith gives us a special understanding of these things. After all, generosity is not just about money. It’s about the gift of life, about the ability to see in a person not only his role, but his soul. About the desire to make the world around a little kinder, even if it means giving up a part of yourself.

For me, as a woman, it is a kind of inner challenge to be generous, without fear of being misunderstood, and at the same time not to lose myself. To be who God created me to be - kind, open and strong. And I believe that it is important for men to understand and accept this gift - not only as financial generosity, but also as a woman's inner strength.

These are my thoughts today. Thank you for reading.

Lana Banana