
This is something I have the great pleasure of experiencing in my life. It is not by accident. If you are a giving type of person, I will naturally gravitate towards you. People who show a great interest in helping others are people I like to have in my life. For example, I just have coffee with my good friend Nick the other day. He is a giver. Always happy to lend an ear, some solid advice and even some encouragement. A great guy. A few posts ago, I mentioned Tanya and Montell, who are friends of Margie and I. Very generous and giving people.
The danger of being a giving person is that sometimes you connect with a taking person. Someone who is just looking to drain others. That is why it is so important for giving people to set boundaries, otherwise they could find themselves drained and jaded. A taking person can ruin a giving person, but only if they are allowed. When two giving people get together it is not only like magic, but an artful dance. Sometimes one person gives, sometimes the other gives. Yes, there is taking in this relationship. If not, it would not be possible for there to be giving. What is beautiful is that the reciprocation is always right around the corner.
Giving people can often have a hard time receiving. This is where being with another giving person helps. You are both able to give, and to help the other receive. I used to be someone who had a hard time receiving. Then, I heard a story about a man who also tried to be a giver. One day a friend of his took him to lunch. When the man tried to pay the bill his friend snatched it out of his hand and exclaimed, “How dare you deprive me of the joy of taking you to lunch!” I had never quite thought of it that way. I feel great giving and helping others. I am sure they feel the same way helping me. Why should I deny them that? It has helped me be a little more comfortable with the receiving aspect of relationships.
How about you? Do you know some amazing givers? Are you a giver? If so, have you been able to set boundaries so you are not taken advantage of and drained? Have you found other giving souls to connect with and how has that created magic in your life?
