“Giving and Receiving,” by Drew Gardner

From even before my baptism in the Methodist Church (Protestant Christian), I was raised attending each Sunday with my family. A common theme that was delivered to many others and me was the concept surrounding, “It is better to give than to receive.” I can’t say I have always lived by this dogmatically, but I was and am somehow fascinated by this concept nonetheless.

I feel that giving can be pure pleasure that might more often exceed the enjoyment of receiving a gift. Then again, giving would accompany no intrinsic reward if not enjoyed by the recipient.

Aikido opens a gigantic window for potential giving and accepting gifts. This can be summed up in the word, sharing. If it is not reciprocal, it does not exist. A hollow void in the chest area is created when an Aikidoka properly in touch with himself or herself offers in vain. If the sending of generosity clearly was postmarked, “return to sender,” sharing between these two will probably never be attempted again. Hopefully, the bad feelings from rejected kindness will not hinder future efforts. Perhaps similar discomfort from past attempted generosity, time and time again, has led to “learned helplessness” and hardened hearts. Sometimes this can lead to an outlook on others that they are automatous objects, or even some sort of pawns in their delusional game of conquest. I consider that a poor way to go through our life cycles. Fortunately, most people with satisfied low-level needs lean varyingly in the direction of pleasant sharing.