Reciprocity

Reciprocity is a phenomenon that has always intrigued and fascinated me. Karma? What goes around comes around? Not sure. But life has a pattern, a way of sending things around, and if we aren't careful, we may be too busy to notice.

It is easy to get caught up in the 'I owe you....' or the 'You owe me....' game. I helped you move, so you owe me (fill in the blank). Sure, we do lots of things and don't really expect to be reimbursed specifically by that person. But that legalistic mindset can easily creep in and make itself at home without much notice. I've seen people consumed with this sort of 'tally' existence, where everyone has a list of things that they owe or are owed, and life is a matter of chalking things up in either category. Contrarily, there are the type that view life as blowing in the wind, keep no record of incidence, and just live in a continuous warm breeze. I find myself somewhere in between. Not keeping tedious notes, but curiously mesmerized at how life and things, have such movement.

I know that by doing good for others, it's going to come back around. (That doesn't mean my only motivation to do good for others is tainted by greed though.) Maybe that person won't actually return the favor, but somewhere down the road, my needs will be met by some other giver. I love it! It's like the old adage about the wind, where you can't see it, but it is all around you. You can't actually see this ebb and flow, but it is there. This giving and receiving we all take part in. We help, we need help. Back and forth it goes.

When you take a step back and view the whole picture, the intricacies of 'it's all a wash' can help put things in perspective and quell an anxious mind. In times of hardship, especially the economic kind, worries and frets build and consume. I am a victim of these worries just like the next guy, but I remind myself, that it will all work out. It always does. Usually not in the manner that we want or thought, but it does. Things come around. Now, if anyone wants to help me nail down a job, the circle would really be complete!