Do Unto Others

Do you follow the golden rule of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”?  Are you a giver, a taker or somewhere in between?

In the season of giving, you find that some people are givers.  They give and give and give and really don’t expect anything in return.  They like giving.  They like the joy giving brings to themselves and others.  They are happy to do it and don’t think anything of keeping score or what they will receive in return.  They are the saintly bunch and few and far between.

Then you have the takers.  They take people’s time, they take people’s money, they take people’s support and love.  They have no intention of giving back.  They may feel like they are owed something from the world.  They may feel like they are due all of the things they freely take.  Takers will think of only themselves and their interests.  Nothing else matters.

And then there ar those in between.  We don’t mind giving as long as there is some sort of reciprocity.  Those in the middle don’t like the feeling of being taken advantage of.  They are happy to share with you their secret strategy of roasting a turkey or a crazy successful stock tip.  At some point in time, though, they will expect something in return.  It’s about fairness.

So, are you a giver, a taker or somewhere in between?  Maybe this holiday season you can focus on the continuum between the givers and the middle of the road.  It’s only fair.