What's in it for me?

The old adage of “It is better to give than to receive” has taken a turn to “It is better to receive than to give. ”While it is important to be mindful of our own needs, it is also important to be aware of the needs of others. Are there others in your life who would benefit from what you have to offer? Sometimes it is simply taking time to speak to others in a kindly manner. It doesn’t cost a cent and both of your days are brightened by the interaction. That’s the payoff for you. Maybe a local organization is looking for volunteers. It might be ongoing or a one time commitment. You might decline saying to yourself that you don’t have the time. Yet you will use the same time to sit in front of the television and watch a mindless movie. Afterwards you say to yourself that it was such a waste of time. What if you had chosen to use that time to help others? Think of how you would have felt afterwards. Who might you have met? It isn’t likely that you will meet someone while watching a television show. Life offers so many opportunities for you to share your gifts. What’s in it for you is the joy of doing so. What are you doing today to give and receive in return?