Giving Playing Field

The best relationships are those on " a level playing field" - where there is equal power on both sides. It's not about "I win and you lose" that makes a successful relationship (especially in negotiations). I think this same principle applies to giving.

This concept hit me like a truck when I asked J.P. if he had ever asked the person he was coaching what value that person was giving him as the student. Too often in hierarchical relationships (e.g. teacher and student) it appears there is a power mis-match. This can also be the perception in a giving relationship - the giver is "more powerful" than the recipient.

NOT SO! The recipient is providing a gift to the giver - the chance to help - to serve.

The word charity can have the connotation of weakness, dependency, powerless, etc. I think instead it is humility that is of critical importance on both sides of the giving equation.

In the world of humility it is always a level playing field - more importantly a "giving playing field".