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Daily Question, January 18

What do I truly give away without expectation of return or reciprocity?

  • Patito

    Mis donaciones a los que sufrieron en el temblor

  • Vince

    Love, my children to the world, food, art, music

  • Pat

    I give my time and talents selfishly. I dont expect anything in return, always hoping to help and be of service for anyone in need.

  • Kate

    Using kind words and saying ‘thank you’ to staff at retailer (supermarket, chemist, etc…)

  • Lioness

    My time for others.

  • Javier Visionquest

    "What you get is what you have
    to give away. And, now I've learned
    I 've found my eyes are open"

    I work in fundraising for a not-for-profit and my experience is that it's easy to give what we have plenty of. When I give, doesn't matter what it is, I have no expectation of return - my time and effort, money or food, information (advice). I DO expect my tools to be returned in working order, though. I'll give until it hurts but not what I can't afford to do without; that's my only rule.

    ...

    “What you get is what you have
    to give away. And, now I’ve learned
    I ‘ve found my eyes are open”

    I work in fundraising for a not-for-profit and my experience is that it’s easy to give what we have plenty of. When I give, doesn’t matter what it is, I have no expectation of return – my time and effort, money or food, information (advice). I DO expect my tools to be returned in working order, though. I’ll give until it hurts but not what I can’t afford to do without; that’s my only rule.

    What is evil, if not pathological selfishness?

    Read More
  • GT

    I give away my time in volunteering at a nursing home.

  • Hot Sauce

    Right now, I am practicing just giving away love and kindness, even if it’s just by smiling or saying hello to someone. If the person doesn’t return the favor or is unkind to me, I can continue to do this anyway. After all, everyone is fighting a battle I may not know about, so unconditional love is the best way to go.

  • Trevor

    My spirit.

  • Springerlady

    Maybe a smile, or a small gesture like calling the grocery store clerk by name… a way of saying ” I see you and you matter”…. This is an interesting question as I often struggle with having high expectations for my self and others… and it gets me in trouble again and again. I liked the comment from someone who said ” nothing… we share life and everything in it”… something to ponder.

  • Deb

    Perhaps not expectation or reciprocity, but hope. Hope that my effort bears fruit or is helpful, that is was not in vain.

  • Amor fati

    My experience, strength and hope….. to all who ask .

  • Francine Marie Tolf

    Well, it’s not much, but when I am on the bus in the morning, I will often pray for all of us. “May we be safe, may we be happy, may we live in peace.” I hope I am at least spreading some good vibrations.

  • kathleen

    My prayers for others
    May you be happy, May you be safe…

  • Michael

    I give away nothing because I have nothing to give. We share life and everything in it. Even when I smile and then you smile, we share not give.

  • Becca

    This is a really good question, because it makes me think...is there anything I give without expectation of return? I like to think I give emotional openness without expectation of return, but then when someone acts cold, I close up and don't want to give that openness anymore. Also, kindness, like some of you said. And respect. But it's very hard to give those things when you don't receive them back. I guess the trick is to focus on the times I've felt kindness and to feel grateful, and from th...

    This is a really good question, because it makes me think…is there anything I give without expectation of return? I like to think I give emotional openness without expectation of return, but then when someone acts cold, I close up and don’t want to give that openness anymore. Also, kindness, like some of you said. And respect. But it’s very hard to give those things when you don’t receive them back. I guess the trick is to focus on the times I’ve felt kindness and to feel grateful, and from that place of gratitude to give. But is that selfishly motivated?

    Read More
    • Bree

      I love the honesty in your answer. I think humans being are selfish by nature. It makes us feel good to give, that’s been studied and proven. I don’t think necessarily anything wrong with it, that’s just how we’re made. I think the trick is not expecting anything in return, which is also difficult (for me sometimes anyways). But as long you give, you feel good about yourself, the person receiving feels good about themselves, and its a win-win.

    • Palm

      Good point, a cold reaction or no response at all to my reaching out is something that unsettles me, and makes me start questionning my intentions. I have got much better in advocating for and being gentle with myself when this internal conflict arises, but I am still working on it.

    • Francine Marie Tolf

      Yes, thanks for being frank! It IS hard not to expect kindness from a person when you go out of your way to be kind to them.

      • Amor fati

        When you “go out of your way” to help someone, is it freely given? If I feel that way, I’ve already set myself up to hunt for a return

    • Joanne

      Thank you Becca for your honesty. I often feel the same way, and then feel badly about myself. It is one of life’s lessons that I try to find the balance in.

  • Barbara Morris

    I don’t know if I can so easily say I expect nothing in return for my kindness. I don’t expect anything from the person I am helping, but I think I hope that my kindness will have positive ripple effects in the universe.

  • Pilgrim

    Compassion, kindness, a smile, willingness to listen.

  • Nancy

    Kindness and sincerity always. Words of Mother Teresa that I reflect on daily I have attached for your pleasure -

    People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
    If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
    If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
    If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
    What you spend years cre...

    Kindness and sincerity always. Words of Mother Teresa that I reflect on daily I have attached for your pleasure –

    People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
    If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
    If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
    If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
    What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
    If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
    The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
    Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
    In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

    ????

    Read More
  • Ose

    Aside of many features where I feel the need to work on to free them from shadow aspects, I would guess that I am able to give kindness, loyalty, honesty, care and some creativity with no expectations of return or reciprocity. These are given freely without adhesions. They find their way naturally when being with people I care for or when being with friends, with everyone I encounter. Stability in interaction and perspective for developing something good all together, if it is meant to be and de...

    Aside of many features where I feel the need to work on to free them from shadow aspects, I would guess that I am able to give kindness, loyalty, honesty, care and some creativity with no expectations of return or reciprocity. These are given freely without adhesions. They find their way naturally when being with people I care for or when being with friends, with everyone I encounter. Stability in interaction and perspective for developing something good all together, if it is meant to be and despite many obstacles is one of the gifts resulting for all concerned, for which I am truly grateful.

    Read More

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