#172: "For this I bless you most..."

I've noticed in the many ways in which I try to encourage the spirit of generosity in my son as an antidote to the way his ego naturally expresses itself by indulging in selfishness. I thank him when he buses the family's dishes to the sink after a meal. I beam at him and point out how kind and thoughtful he was for noticing that someone had dropped their glove and returning it to them.

In a functioning society, the act of giving is placed higher than that of receiving. To receive something to one's advantage may be considered natural or instinctual; and because of that, is considered "lower" in executive function than to give. But with that perspective, it can feel like a tricky line to walk, because the ego -- learning that generosity and service is valuable currency for social acceptance -- can just as easily use these to further its own gain, couldn't it?

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