Giving Freely — Where Did it Go?
How I Realized I Was Giving with Strings Attached, and How I’m Working to Undo that Habit
When was the last time you helped someone?
I don’t mean picking up after your kids, or cooking dinner — I mean a truly, selfless act of helping someone in a worse off situation than yourself?
Now think about that time. Did you expect something in return? At all?
It could have been recognition (even as small as your spouse praising you), it could have been out of an expectation of the favor being returned. Whatever the reason, was there a (most likely) subconscious rumination that you are now one point up in some way?
Was there ever a feeling of resentment if the kindness was not returned?
“I can’t believe they haven’t helped me out, after all I’ve done for them!”
If you can say “yes, I have felt that way” then you are among the majority of us, and that’s what I’d like to explore.
Why Are People Who Expect Nothing in Return For a Kindness so Rare?
I have a four year old daughter. We’re in the “I want. I want. I want.” phase.
