Chapter 3

This chapter begins by commenting on the selfless giving of the neighbors and members of this community. So rarely do we get to experience this kind of giving and when we do we must ask ourselves, okay what’s wrong with those people? If a neighbor happened to bring home some flowers for us or help us with our yard work we would first of all think that they expect something in return, second of all feel obligated to return the favor as if we must may back a debt owed, and third of all realize that without some return there is no way in hell these people would continue to do nice things for you without some return on their investment. We have come to the realization that nothing in life is free and everything comes with a price tag, whether its listening to a friend in a time in need, because she just had you over for a nice dinner, or taking out the neighbors dog while they are out of town, because they took out your dog for you when you were out of town, we give most times because we expect the favor to be returned. This creates an awkward situation if this unspoken contract happens to falter and one person begins giving more than receiving. However, in the book there is no giving with an expectation, it is giving for the good of your fellow human because it’s the right thing to do. This kind of noncompeting lifestyle almost seems too good to be true and causes one to think where did we go astray? The phrase many hands make work light has a new meaning for me. Helping out where your knowledge and expertise can benefit someone else is not an obligation or a payment to a debt that has been incurred. It’s about everyone helping everyone so that together we can all have an easier and lighter load. If we applied this to today’s elf absorbed world, imagine what we could accomplish.