? Give what you’ve got
For those who deserve to receive
What’s missing?
(St. Augustin’s)
Offering something without expecting anything in return is known as altruism, but how far can we give without receiving?Is that really fair? Don’t forget that everything in this life has a “swing”. You may get nothing for what you’ve done today, but tomorrow you’ll get your reward.
The most important basis of reciprocity is to try to return, in gratitude, what others have given us before. To better understand this, perhaps we should use an explanation that will lead us to antiquity:
The man had to share to survive. From knowledge to tools, food or housing, one’s solidarity was always the way others should go on living.
This was not only in the time of the caves (fortunately) and the rest today. Since we were born, we naturally bring the right feelings to establish a kind of “debt” when someone does something for us.
But there is even more, because we torment our minds thinking of a way to pay this balance as soon as possible (and with interest).
So far everything is very nice, very perfect, but we have to get back to reality. A lot of people take advantage of this feeling of “guilt” that takes us when we owe someone a favor. This group is based on the principle that “do something for someone to make them feel compelled to do something for us. “
This is where “induced” reciprocity arises to give it a name. I mean, you’re looking for a way to help someone by simply because someone owes us a favor.
The first to take advantage of this sense of guilt were the Hare-Krishna, who went out into the street and offered flowers to pedestrians and told them that they were saving money for their foundation, as people had received a gift (the flower). , they felt compelled to make a donation to the cause, today this technique is used with other objects such as a book, a magazine, an incense, etc.
If we extend it to other areas, some surveys from the 1980s indicate that inviting someone we know to have a drink creates a sense of debt, especially sexual, something that seems a little illogical in the 21st century, but not so much in 4 decades.
Could some people say yes, no disgust? The truth is that one way or another, we’re always expecting something in return, that doesn’t mean we want a gift or something material, but giving it to others makes us feel better, because we did it?the day ? , because we can speak proudly with others, etc.
Then yes! We’re expecting something in return. Perhaps we are waiting for the opportunity to play in front of someone who has done something for him, in a more mystical sense, we hope that something superior will compensate us for our attitude, be it God, the Universe, Karma, etc. or just be there when you need something.
Is it always strange to think of each other, to help others, to put the shoes of those in front of us?Maybe it was better than instead of offering everything we have, we started taking care of the details of every day.
It is not necessary to strip ourselves of all our material possessions and to be hungry for others to feed, that is, to become altruistic with all the letters.
We can give gifts to those around us, which is a great way to practice altruism; with simple gestures like giving up the seat on the subway, letting someone pass us in line, tying our son’s shoelaces, preparing dinner for the family or carrying the bride’s purse.
I’m sure you’ll get reward: the joy of the other, the thanks and the affection, isn’t it already a nice gift?