Any good relationship needs a balance of taking and giving, or resentment results. It's not fun to feel like you're being used. When someone does something nice for you, it can create a sense of obligation. An uncomfortable sense of owing them a debt. Some people are very literal about this. Take the Christmas card list, for example. Are there people on that list you barely know, or haven't seen for years? Yet you send them a card because they sent you one last year, then they send you one because you sent them one, on and on it goes. And no one wants to be the first to stop this madness.
When we receive a favor, it does obligate us, but not necessarily to the person who granted the favor. Instead of bouncing the goodness back and forth like you're playing tennis, why not do something nice for someone else? One of my favorite movies is "Pay It Forward." Being blessed should motivate us to share those blessings with others, to keep all that good energy and happiness going. A truly rich, full life has a balance between give and take.
Susan
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