Giving or taking?



Who's receiving, who's giving?

What a diametrical difference. To give. Or to receive.
Why would we give anything to anybody after all, if any giving is making as poorer?

a) because we are stupid
b) because we like to suffer loss of something belonging to us
c) because giving is still better than whipping ourselves
d) because every giving is receiving

First, it's rather important to exclude any forced giving. Either by peer pressure (I will look bad if I don't give), either criminal extortion (if you don't give me money, I'll kill your child, I'll not sign your document...), or anything similar.

But we are looking into giving from our free will. Why we do it?
Because even if we didn't verbalize the idea “giving is receiving”, this idea is present somewhere in us. You offer something you have to somebody who wishes to have this and deserves this, just for whatever reason can not afford it. You receive person's joy flowing to you accompanied by a radiant smile and sparks in the eyes. On e-bay you can search for these items until your brain is fried, you'll not find them...

If you understand this, you don't have problems also with receiving.
When not long ago we received a nice package from Switzerland, loaded with fantastic traditional Swiss sweet stuff, we simply enjoyed, tasted, devoured it – and far away Reto was receiving our smiles.
When elderly nearby couple has a ceremony, but no means to buy essentials needed, providing these makes their days nicer. And our lives brighter.
When a woman with a child asks for a little something, a small help offered to her brings us a big smile...

And when fat government official comes demanding a donation (or else!) we also give. OK, not exactly money as he expects, but some questions to contemplate. Let's say a food for his soul.
How did your parents teach you? Are you not ashamed of what you do?