Meir Ezra Blog about Why You Should Give More Than You Receive

Life is not fair.

Perhaps you give more gifts and holiday cheer than anyone gives to you. You may give great advice, but never get thanked for it. Maybe you donate more than your fair share to those who are less fortunate than you.          

And that's a good thing!

"A human being feels able and competent only so long as he is permitted to contribute as much or more than he has contributed to him." -- L. Ron Hubbard

For example, you promise to work five extra hours for your client, Joe. During those hours, you are focused, efficient and professional. You get so involved with the job, you forget to watch the clock and end up working for almost six hours, but still only charge for five. Joe is impressed and you are proud. Your future with Joe feels secure.

As another example, you tell Chris, "You poor thing! You don't need to work. We'll just give you money each month." At first, Chris thinks this is a great deal. But soon, she wonders, "Am I so useless that no one wants me to work? Can't I make a contribution here?" She feels unable and incompetent. If you then get Chris to do some work for the money, she feels happy and secure.

As a final example, you encourage your children to contribute to the family. Your four-year old sweeps the floors each day. Your ten-year-old takes care of the pets. Your fifteen-year-old washes your car every week. Your family is happy as everyone feels able and competent.

"A man can over-contribute and feel secure in an environment. He feels insecure the moment he under-contributes, which is to say, gives less than he receives. If you don't believe this, recall a time when everyone else brought something to the party but you didn't. How did you feel?  -- L. Ron Hubbard