Givers & Takers

I have developed a theory about life and mankind, an idea that is an oversimplification of a truth, to be sure. But, it is MY theory, and so, it is my story and I am sticking to it.

This belief goes something like this: there are two basic types of people on the planet – GIVERS and TAKERS. Granted, there some of us who function in the world of absolutes – black and white – no shades of gray, and, no color. There are some people who give everything they have to others and causes and there are others who give absolutely nothing to anybody but themselves. Both of those types are somewhat a rarity (although, I would venture to say that there are more of this selfish type than we care to admit or think about) and the rest of us fall into the mushy middle. Now that I have served up that idea, I also believe that on the scales of justice, the rest of us tip to one side or the other. Which side are you on – the giving team, or the taking team?

If you aren’t certain, let me help you out. Have you ever been at a stoplight and a car up ahead of you tosses trash out the window – even if it just one small gum wrapper? TAKER! Have you ever been in a movie theater watching that movie you have been waiting to see and the moron(s) behind you flap their lips (and flap, and flap, and flap, and …you get the picture)? TAKER! Have you ever been in a line somewhere (make that two lines merging into one) and you knew you were first and the other person BUTTS (and they knew they were butting)? TAKER! When you enjoy an Ozark stream and you see freshly deposited trash (not the kind that you know probably washed up in the rain and high-water) – lazily deposited for lack of effort – a blatant crime of commission? TAKER! Have you ever encountered the cheap tipper (or no tip at all), the no blinker cut-me-off guy, the walk right in front of my line and steal half of my fishin’ hole guy, the drink my beer and never (and I mean never, ever, never, ever) replace it guy? TAKER, TAKER, TAKER, and TAKER!!!! I think you get the picture. You can use your imagination and dig deep into your personal experiences for your fondest memories.

Conversely, we are richly blessed by the givers of this world. The folks who donate their time to work on projects like Clean Stream and other important conservation activities - GIVERS! People who spend time out in nature and always come away leaving it better than they found it. GIVERS! How about volunteers and committed people who give their TIME, TALENTS, and RESOURCES (sometimes money, sometimes lots and lots of money) to all kinds of great causes that are near and dear to them? GIVERS! On an even simpler level, how about those who live by the good ole GOLDEN RULE – treat others like you yourself would like to be treated (or often times, even better) – they are among us – GIVERS! Offering up a simple fishing tip, sharing a fly or a beer or a cigar, or even sacrificing your fishing hole for another – GIVERS! Those little and simple and random acts of kindness make a big difference in somebody else’s day and life. Have you left the world a better place than you found it, on this very day?

I leave you with this – are you a GIVER or a TAKER? We all would like to think of ourselves in a positive light (as a GIVER), but if we spend a minute and think about it, which are we. Have you made a difference today? Only you can answer that question. You think about that. See you on the streams. TL