Reciprocation is an amazing thing. We are told to be selfless in our actions, yet if we do something and get nothing of equal value in return we feel emotions that are not happiness. Why is this? Which of these is natural? Reciprocity is something many people seek and those feelings seem contradictory to living selflessly. How much of ourselves do we need to freely give before we realize that we are being taken advantage of?
I find myself going above and beyond for others, and I do not do it with the intention of them doing something for me. Quid pro quo is just a fun thing to say, but not necessarily to live by. I don’t operate on a bartering system. The only thing I do fear however, is finding out the emotions or feelings I give out, which is a tough thing for me to do, are not being reciprocated. I understand that everyone wont feel the same way about you as you do about them and vice versa. One of the worst feelings is finding out that a person you are “all in” for is merely tolerating you and entertaining someone else. It’s not a good feeling, but hey, no need to do things for reciprocity right?
