Givers and Takers

Several years ago I attending a week long personal development "camp." The group had been there a day, when we had to go around a circle and label each participant as either a "giver" or a "taker." I don't know who put the bad connotation on "taker," us or the seminar presenter, but it was certainly there. It was quite uncomfortable to label people based on an overall impression. In some cases, this determined relationships for the rest of the week.

I don't know if we see ourselves accurately as givers or takers. It's like the self-centered person not realizing he's self centered. We need to learn to give AND take, appropriately and graciously. Imposing one's own wants when one gives (i.e., "You should have this...), is not a gift! One who says, "I give and give, and get nothing back," is not really giving.

I've been thinking a lot about balance- in nature, in life, in what we do. This is part of it.