To start off my day… I met with the plumber.

Now most of you may think this is an adversity, of sorts.  But in fact, I like our plumber.  He works for a big name plumbing company out of Dayton.  They have given us tremendous service, and quality, for years.  We always ask for the same guy.  Matt.

He and I have become friends over the years.  He always has a great big smile on his face, and not a worry in the world, when you ask him to fix your big plumbing problems.   He really gives of himself when he is on the job.  A Giver.

Matt got a promotion though.  He’s not our Go-To-Guy anymore.  Somebody THAT hardworking and kind… WILL get promoted….. it seems.  So he introduced  Gordon, his replacement.

And although I am rambling a bit, I shall continue.

Matt relayed a “promotional story” with me.  Apparently, a client flat out lied to them a couple of days ago, to get out of paying what she owed the company.  Stood there and lied to their workgroup.  They all knew it.  She wanted to take something for free, it appears.  A Taker.

And that has been my observation… throughout the day…. ALL day today.  I have encountered BOTH Givers and Takers.

I don’t necessarily fault the Takers for wanting to take.  Most of the times, I think this arises from their circumstances.  They THINK they have to get the “one up”, to take and take… in order to get ahead.

But that thing called Karma will swirl right around you…..  like a swaddling blanket around a baby.  I think the more good we do… AND….. the more we try to be givers…  …it may just come back our way… in much bigger ways.  I hope this is true.

Regrettably, in my lifetime…. I’ve done my fair share of taking.  In many ways I still do…. I suppose.  But I try to be more of a giver.  Not because I want something in return.  It just feels so much better to me that way.

There are so many good givers in my life.   I try to learn from them.   Friends and family, care givers, massage therapists, colleagues… service people … ..  the lady at the bank window, when I hand her my withdrawal ticket. (Oh wait.  She HAS to do that, doesn’t she?)  But seriously. There are always those people that hold out a hand to help…

As the great Jackie DeShannon scribed….”Think of your fellow man…
Lend him a helping hand….  Put a little love in your heart.”

As with everything in life… there is more to something than what’s on the surface.  Like… you can learn a lot more than plumbing… from your plumber.  You can learn to give, and let if flow.

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.  — Lao Tzu