From this videoconference talk from 14 February 2020, Ajahn Anan discusses the importance of lovingkindness, or metta, and giving.

An excerpt: "It’s like the trees in a drought—the trees are dry because they lack water. It is similar to a tree standing upright but close to death, like it has no life, the leaves have all fallen. This is like the mind of a person that is dry and that has no goodness. One can feel that life doesn’t really have much value. When we become aware of this, then we come and search for the way out. When we can meet with goodness, meet with Dhamma, and then practice Dhamma, then this will moisten and freshen up our minds. Just like when it rains, the ground becomes moist, then the trees and grass become green. The rivers and dams become full. Underneath the ground, the soil is fertile."

Note: One can read this talk and others at the Wat Marp Jan 'Reflections' page, which also includes questions and answers with Ajahn Anan, which are not in the audio files. See: https://watmarpjan.org/en/dhamma-reflections/reflections-archive/