Give To Receive
The other week, I was craving doughnuts. I must have brought them up in conversation for 3 or 4 days straight but never took action to get them.
That following weekend, while I was out on a long run, my wife and daughter decided they would surprise me by going for a walk to the local Dunkin’ Donuts to pick up a half dozen delicious treats.
They bumped into some new neighbors down the street from us during their walk, and they all made introductions. Among the new neighbors were two children, so my wife decided to also surprise the neighbors by picking up a box of Munchkins for them.
On their way back from acquiring said doughnuts and Munchkins, they were stopped by one of our other neighbors, a kind gentleman named Ned. Ned knows that I’m a runner, and asked my wife, Christa, “Does Wes shop at DICK’S Sporting Goods?”
“Not very often, he’s a bit particular when it comes to his running gear, but he has in the past,” she replied.
“Well, I have this $50 gift card for him if you think he’ll use it. I never shop there,” he explained.
“Oh, yeah, that’s awesome! I’m sure he’ll find a way to use it. Thanks!” she said.
After their interaction with Ned, they continued on and delivered their surprise to the new neighborhood children. Their good deed was complete, and they returned home with their surprise doughnuts and gift card for yours truly (I know, I’m pretty damn fortunate).
When I came home and learned about their awesome little journey, I was fixated on the thought of “give to receive” and how important that mentality is.
Often, we feel that we need to hoard resources, feelings, energy, or ideas because we don’t want to deplete ourselves or our situation.
But, almost always, it’s the exact opposite thinking that can help us grow and advance in our journey through life.
Some other instances that come to mind are the weekly group run I host or the blog where you’re currently reading this post.
Every Thursday morning for the past few months, I’ve been regularly hosting a group run here in Holly Springs, NC. I often get feedback from the participants that they appreciate the discipline, accountability, and workouts they receive when they show up. But, I feel the exact same way whenever we wrap up our run. By giving them the benefits that they appreciate, I, in turn, receive them all the same.
The same could be said about my blog, specifically my more personal or painful posts. Whenever I publish one that is difficult to write or forces me to be vulnerable, I almost always receive several comments or direct messages from people thanking me, sharing their trials and tribulations with me, or just letting me know that they are paying attention and are inspired by what I put out into the world. But, once again, the same could be said of me. By giving a piece of myself to the world, I receive pieces from others that help make me whole again. It adds a little more wind to my sails and makes the more difficult days easier to take on.
So, anytime I’m feeling selfish or hesitant to give some of me to someone or something, it’s always a good reminder to take a good long look at the situation and possibly reconsider my approach. Maybe giving is the right thing to do, even when I don’t want to.
Maybe I’ll get something in return—maybe I won’t. I suppose that’s not the point, really. But maybe because giving feels good, and sometimes, just feeling good is enough.
And I guess that’s receiving something, isn’t it?
