There are two types of people: those who give with the expectation of receiving something in return, and those who give for the joy of being in the flow without expecting anything in return.

The Unseen – The Consequences of Gifts

I was taught as a child that if someone gave me a gift, whether it was candy or a compliment, I had to say, “Thank you.”

The worst part is when the gift comes with an invisible price tag, such as a hug or a kiss in exchange. Ugh! It did not sit well with me. “It is my body, and I get to choose who I kiss,” I thought.

Unfortunately, it does not work that way when you are a child. People expect some form of appreciation.

Even now, I see parents repeating the same behavior. Kids still cringe, just as I did when I was a kid.

The Gift of Expectation – The Lesson I Learned

Gifts are rarely just gifts; they often become gifts of obligation and expectation. It is hardwired within us that when someone does something nice for you, you feel obligated to reciprocate by giving something of your choosing.

More often than not, we give and then expect someone else to fill a void within us. Take, for example, the expression of love; when we say those three little words, we like to hear them back. When the other person breaks this unspoken agreement, we often feel disappointed, rejected, or frustrated.

The Law of Reciprocity, Newton’s third law, states that for every action, there’s an equal reaction going the opposite way,.

Love or Fear – The Choices We Make

Every word, action, and thought falls into one of two categories: love or fear. According to The Law of Reciprocity, what you send out is returned in kind. Choose love, and you’ll receive an outcome that is reciprocity to love; choose fear, and the reciprocity will be fear-driven.

What you reap may simply be a reflection of what you sowed, thought, or did.

Giving freely – The Art of Living

Basically, whatever you throw into the Universe comes back to you. The key is to give freely without expecting anything in return. It is about realizing that giving without a hidden agenda lays the groundwork for genuine reciprocity. If you have any feelings of expectation, do not give because you might not get the desired result.

When you can give without expecting anything in return, you have mastered the art of living.

Jon Mead

Detach Yourself – The Timeless Gift

Give without attachment to the outcome. The return might not happen today, tomorrow, or even this year.

Recognize that what you receive is often a result of what you gave, thought, or did. By letting go of expectations, you can give freely, appreciate the act itself, and be grateful for the opportunity to give and receive.

Giving without expectation leads to receiving without limitation.

Charles F. Glassman