Before asking for
or expecting anything out of life,
ask yourself first,
what have you already given beforehand?
Nature blossoms,
as water drops.
All the colors of the world light up,
as the sun shines.
The entire Universe high in the sky glows,
as night falls.
As we breathe, our entire self continues,
hence, gets to live another day.
As we are able to see,
reality’s images come to life before us
to be enjoyed.
As we think and comprehend,
out entire world exists.
The world’s full gamut
of physics and biology
can be calculated, measured
and in part explained,
through reciprocity.
Part of the essence of life’s virtuous cycle
is reciprocity.
If constant motion is the roar
of nature’s engine at work,
reciprocity is the key component
of the fuel that enables it.
When we reciprocate with each other,
we appeal to the better angels
dwelling in ourselves and over humanity.
The true essence of receiving anything in life
lies in what we have given in advance.
In a way,
we have not truly given anything,
if nothing comes back.
Inexorably, sooner or later,
if we do good things and we do them right,
if we perform good deeds,
life will respond by giving back to us in spades.
But if we don’t,
one way or another,
life will get back at us,
in the most unexpected of fashions,
and everything and anything
we have taken or received,
without reciprocity in return,
will be taken back, confiscated,
even yanked from us.
If we shoot arrows and bullets or throw stones,
we should expect them to rebound at some point,
perhaps with even more impact in return.
If we gift or dote good deeds, books and roses,
they’ll come back at us in droves.
Mutuality is an immutable correlation
of greater than one,
never, a one-way street.
Generosity is intrinsic to reciprocity
and vice-versa.
Their joint power creates virtuous circles,
positive and upward spirals
of endless gives and takes.
To reciprocate is to be eternally grateful,
to humankind and The Creator,
in a way is about
paying forward to others as well,
for the privilege of being alive.
All of it,
with the lingering,
handsome reward
that all we have contributed
to life itself and others,
perhaps more,
will be paid back to us
in hard-earned, well-deserved bounties .