Is it a give if there's something in it for you?

[Kris]

Is it still a "give" if there's something in it for you? I mean, today I gave a bunch of used books to the library and I have to admit, I wanted that receipt for tax purposes.
What do you all think?

[David Dillard-Wright]

I think that it's still a give. There is no such thing as pure altruism or pure selfishness. Even the stingiest billionaire on the planet still probably gives a few Christmas presents, and he or she probably has a momentary glimmer of happiness in doing that. Likewise, we can never really know if the most saintly person doesn't have just a little bit of ego left behind. So, yes, there's something in it for you, and yes it's still a give.

[Sarah]

I think some of it is about the spirit with which you do it. We started a book box at work, where you can put in your old books and take away ones you haven't read. I donated quite a lot of books, because I wanted to support it, because I wanted my friends to get the chance to read stuff I have enjoyed, all sorts of reasons. But I gained from that - I got some clutter out of my house and I've taken loads of books away to read (and brought them back again).

[Trisha]

Yes it is a give and it is a gift to yourself. The gift to you is smaller than the gift you are giving. But to those who will read and appreciate those books it is a true gift.

[Meliors]

I feel like gifts that aren't easy or rewarding for me count more but I know that's not so. It's cool to be motivated to give for non-altrusistic reasons, it makes us more invested in the giving, eh?

[Erin - 29Gifts Community Manager]

There is not a single time I've given, and not received -not in 160+ days of doing this challenge. Absolutely it is still a gift! Rather than think about your motivations, or what you got out of it, think of the receiver, and if that organization or person perceieves your action as a gift? The Library certainly does, but even bigger, those people that will have those books available to them will absolutely be happy to have them there!

[Cami Walker -- 29Gifts Founder]

One of the founding principles of this project is that giving and receiving are one and the same. The universe is reciprocal in nature. I believe that there is always an exchange of some kind when we give. Sometimes that exchange is intangible and not easily quantifiable. That zingy happy feeling you get when someone accepts a gift you offer is a return of energy. Sometimes the exchange is more tangible, like the example you provide of getting a tax receipt to deduct your gift. If your gift was offered in the spirit of giving... with the intention of passing on the books you're read and enjoyed to others, it is absolutely a gift that "counts."

[sharon]

Absolutely!
I cannot give to someone without a feeling of happiness, so it is always giving me back something.
-s

[Peter]

Counts as a give to me Kris as all gifts are also receives on some level and are a demonstration of the cycle and flow of energy.
I imagine you would have felt positive from giving the books to the library, which is also a gift to all the poeple who borrow those books, so your gift was also a receive :)
namaste
Peter

[Cindy]

Absolutely!! Giving is a part of life - and life is made up of many complex facets!!

What my experience here at 29Gifts has shown me is that we are all part of one large Universe -- and that means that "giving" and "receiving" are also one.

Give the books! Get the tax receipt! Save the money! Share your abundance!!

It's all good!

[Stephanie Liakakos]

Hi Kris,

I think everything in life (give or take / positive or negative) is always about You in the end anyway. But giving is certainly not as easy as receiving (for most people, I'll assume) and so everytime you give your spirit grows. The sincerity of the give must be there also. For example, in the past I've given advice to my younger brother with the intention of helping him of course, but more so with the intention of sounding wise and mature and worldly and my brother never appreciated it and would shun it. Lately, I find myself giving advice with the intention of helping him and sharing myself, not as someone wiser, but as his sister and someone who loves him and he listens - but because I listen first. So, I feel the intention is the most important part of giving and sometimes it's only you who knows the difference and will feel the difference in the energy of the "return".

[YogaLaura]

While I certainly agree with everyone's comments above, I also think that if we give with the express purpose of getting something back, it does take from the free energy around the give. If your reason was "Gee, I am going to give books to the library because I need a tax write off." Rather than, "I feel good supporting our library with books I no longer need. And, just think, I get a tax write off, too!"

[Red]

This poem says it all for me:

I never feel more given to
than when you take from me-
when you understand the joy I feel
giving to you.
And you know my giving isn't done
to put you in my debt,
but because I want to live the love
I feel for you.
To receive with grace
may be the greatest giving.
There's no way I can separate
the two.
When you give to me,
I give you my receiving.
When you take from me. I feel so
given to.
by Ruth Bebermeyer