Give First

Unfortunately we often choose to give of ourselves because of a perceived future reward, or "return on investment."

There often is some ROI. But it is often not apples to apples. You serve food at the homeless shelter and your kids learn to respect you. You stay home for the weekend so your wife can get away for a break and you get to help your daughter get closer to choosing her direction in life. You teach a co-worker your best secret technique for getting ahead and gain a life-long friend.

But what if you serve at the homeless shelter and your kids think you are weird? What if you give your wife a break for the weekend and your kids drive you nuts all weekend? What if you teach a co-worker your secret sauce and he or she gets the promotion you deserve?

The discipline of selflessness is centered around the premise that giving itself is the ROI. Your experience of sacrifice, learning, serving, and helping another is the reward.

And have faith. There is a reward coming. In this life and the next.