The Law of Giving and Receiving

“Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen,” the agent stated over the intercom.  “We have a full flight this afternoon and we need 10 of you to check your carry-on bags.”

“Good luck with that one,” I thought to myself.  The whole purpose of using a carry-on, for me, was to exit the airport without having to wait for my luggage and avoiding the checked-bag fee(s).

“If we do not have any volunteers,” he continued, “Then we are going to have to make some of you check your bags, especially if you are in zones three or four.”  No one budged.

Taking a gander at my boarding pass, I was located in zone four – the absolute last zone to board the plane.  Getting the least-desirable options tends to happen when traveling in a budget-conscience manner, like I do, by using third-party booking agents and negating paying for upgrades.  As a result, I only had the option of selecting a middle seat, which was a first experience for me.  What in the world?  I am rethinking the loyalty aspect of sticking to one or two airlines.  I digress.

I felt a tinge of surrender because I knew, based on detailed instructions from a friend, that I had to specifically walk past baggage claim after landing to exit the airport. Yet, I held fast to the last bit of budget-friendly option that I had – keeping my luggage with me.  Furthermore, I simply do not opt to give-up my carryon luggage if at all possible.

The flight was scheduled to be 1 hour and 20 minutes on what I call a small sports-car like regional jet. Thus, the gate agent continued to make the same announcement several times, each time chiseling away my resolve.  A few people responded to the plea by checking their bags, and it was beginning to look as though I was going to be made to do so as well because of the size of my carryon luggage – which the gate agent had also proclaimed was going be the main type of luggage checked.

I finally decided to check my bag right before the boarding process began.  I walked to the counter and proceeded to check my bag, asking at the same time if I may change my seat to a window or aisle seat.  He looked at his computer and then said no.

The gate agent then offered a bit of advice to me, noting that I had limited options because of the type of ticket I purchased (budget friendly – aka basic economy).  Only being able to choose a middle seat was, as mentioned earlier, a new experience with this particular airline.  Again, rethinking the airline loyalty programs.

As I found a spot to stand because they were about to begin the boarding process, the gate agent gave the normal list of announcements at boarding time and then added, “…and for those of you who agreed to check your bags, you may board the plane with zone one individuals.” I was elated.  It’s the small things in life that sometimes bring me the most joy.

As we sat on the plane after everyone boarded, I noticed that the row behind me was completely empty. In fact, the two rows behind me on both sides of the plane were mostly empty because it was one of the upgrade areas – exit row seats – which had a lot of extra leg room.  I was allowed to move to the row behind me and basked in glory of a comfortable flight – all because I was willing to give up my luggage.

Interestingly enough, the experience aligned with several situations that had recently occurred – reminding me of the law of giving and receiving, which is akin to different things such as we reap what we sow, what goes around comes around, karma, doing to others as we want them to do to us, it is better to give than receive…and much more.  Each of the aforementioned comments has a slightly different angle, yet in the end it all points in the same direction – being more selfless, which is a challenge, at times, for me.

For instance, I am an individual who tends to fiercely protect my time, as time is an irreplaceable resource.  Additionally, I seek to respect the time of others.  Who likes to have their time wasted? Not many folks.  Yet I have had recent interactions when I surrendered time for other individuals and ended up experiencing the most joy-filled, priceless moments.  The excitement, joy, and the appreciation of the others involved simply made my day, and allowed for us to create memorable moments and build relationships.

Another instance was when my neighbor graciously offered to help mow my lawn this summer, as he saw me struggling to manage the mowing.  We have had a high abundance of rain in my area of the country and the grass had been rapidly growing – like never before during the time I have lived in my home. He did not ask for anything in return, yet I wanted to avoid taking his kindness for granted and thus provided he and his family with small tokens of appreciation. As a result, we are more connected as neighbors.

These are just two recent examples of life reminding me about the law of giving and receiving; there have been many more.

I would be remiss, however, to mention that there are times when sowing kindness, being selfless, or treating others the way we want to be treated seem to be in vain.  There are times when life seemingly returns kindness with unbelievable and unbearable moments, or when people figuratively slap our hands when we are extending efforts of sowing seeds of selfless acts. To that I respond with the poem Anyway that came to mind while writing this post. The original poem was reportedly first written by Kent M. Keith and later attributed to Mother Teresa; it may be challenging to live this, but worth the effort:

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.