I just finished reading "Linchpin" by Seth Godin and one of the many remarkable comments he made was about gifts. We feel obligated to give a gift if we receive one. And, more importantly, we feel as if we must give a gift of equal value or more. Somehow, we have adopted a "tit for tat" mentality where giving and receiving are concerned. I think back to this past Christmas when family members traded gift cards worth $50 with each other. We could have saved the energy.
In the ancient days, the tribal chief gave away things because he could. His power as leader and chief came from his ability to give away gifts. Today, we have a notion that when we receive we must return in kind.
Yesterday, I had coffee with a friend, a local artist and business woman and she bought me a divine cup of Costa Rican coffee and piece of cake. She said she just wanted to do it. I said thank you.
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