Reciprocity is a peaceful ping pong match where everybody wins; an equal distribution of healthy energy transitioning back and fourth between growing beings. It's also a form of freedom; an inner peace, a civilized meeting of the minds tapped into a place of truth and mutual understanding.
This is a wonderful state of mind for one person to find themselves in, of course, and it's even more powerful when you encounter this type of connection with other people in any capacity. Imagine interacting with people this way on a daily basis. The potential levels of productivity and growth are astounding when everyone is rowing in the same direction as opposed to poking holes in the boat.
Of course, at one point or another, all of us will inevitably encounter someone that want to poke holes in our boat. Unfortunately, there appears to be a shortage of creatives that play by the rules where reciprocity is concerned.
Scratching each other's backs
The term "scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours" has little meaning in a society engineered around the giving and taking of time and energy. The journeys of life are often separated by overcrowded workloads, stress, and the demands to overachieve.
Households and workplaces are packed to the rafters with takers. But I would like to believe that, for the most part, this is more by chance than choice simply because most people haven’t been taught the art of reciprocity.
Yes, it’s an art and can feel like a fabulous transference of healthy positive energy if delivered and received properly. It’s sort of like a stable meeting of the minds and a facilitator of growth towards a common goal.
I can imagine a workplace where everyone thrives - where all parties partake in an even exchange of understanding, respect and growth. The foundations of a relationship built on reciprocity, where give and take is more about understanding and long term growth, are always going to be that much stronger.
A reciprocal environment
My hope is that the art of reciprocity will eventually take root in workplaces where the common goals are growth, respect, understanding and productivity. Where those things exist, not only is that a healthy environment that will produce the best work but it will surely raise morale for long term growth. The state of ones wellbeing may depend upon it.
If nothing else, you have peace, in your home, in your career, in your marriage and in your life. That is, of course, if the genuine goal is for people to grow and to really get better at whatever their hearts truly desire.