There is an undeniable law:
What we give, we receive.
Albeit not always in the moment, and not necessarily the way we would like, eventually in life we get what we give.
If we give love, we will get love
If we give peace, we will get peace
If we give happiness, we will get happiness
In the same way…
If we give criticism, we get criticism
If we give anguish, we will get anguish
If we give bitterness, we will get bitterness
Daily we determine what we will one day receive
We can place any emotion or thought after the phrase, “If we give,” and that is what we will one day “Receive.” It may take time and it may even be elusive but as sure as the day follows the night, we will get what we give. We know instinctively this is so because we have learned it since we were young. Nevertheless, we don’t always act in accordance with this important principle. Let’s look at an example:
David is the ideal employee, he is young, intelligent and most importantly, he is anxious to conquer the world and excel in his profession. He sees what many don’t see, and what seems difficult to others, comes easily to him. He is dedicated and hardworking. Then, when he least expects it, he encounters Peter, an envious boss. Peter sees in David what he always wanted to be but for so many reasons, which he could enumerate in a heartbeat, was never able to achieve. Peter treats David badly and does his best to take away his visions of grandeur assigning him small and insignificant tasks.
How would you react if you were David?
Would you stay put or head for the door?
Our reaction to life’s most difficult circumstances determines our success. If David starts to treat Peter badly, talking behind his back and lamenting his own situation because of Peter, he will become an exact copy of Peter. If, on the other hand, David gives forth his best effort in everything he does, he will eventually be recognized for what he does. The prize may not come from his boss, his company or even the same industry he is currently in, but sooner or later, he will receive his just compensation.
There are people from all walks of life who today live a plentiful and productive life despite having encountered a “Peter” in their path. The majority of successful people have had someone who has denigrated them, attempting to steal their dream by telling them they were “good for nothing and would amount to nothing.” No doubt many were actually inspired by these situations to achieve greatness.
It’s not what happens to us, rather how to react to it which is most important. We can let others influence and mold our character, or we can take the reins of our emotions and give what we would like to receive. The boss who treats us poorly generally does so because of a lack of vision or understanding. The reality is it usually has nothing to do with us. Though it isn’t easy, we should perhaps feel sorry for those whose own self image is so low they feel the need to discourage and put others down. Faced with this type of person we can keep our heads high, give our best effort, and with as the fruit of our persistence, achieve what others only dream about.
Every master was once a student. Every artist picked up a brush one day for the first time. We do not achieve the height of success without first passing through the valley of failure.
People will say what they will say and do what they will do, it isn’t what they say or what they do, rather what we do in return which matters most. What we give, we receive… it is that simple. If we want more, we need only give more.
∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL III 27