“…the circle of gratefulness is incomplete, until the giver
of the gift becomes the receiver”
Brother Steindl-Rast (Howells, 2012, p. 55)
I found this quote in Gratitude in Education, Chapter 4
readings to be an thought provoking quote. Mostly because it became a ‘which came
first, the chicken or the egg’ conundrum for me.
I often feel that the circle is not complete, for me, until as
the receiver of the gift, I become the giver. Sometimes however, the giving is
in more of a ‘pay it forward’ manner, than in a reciprocal manner. The giver
has presented me with an opportunity (gift) and has no requirement or value in
receiving a gift from me, but may value seeing my onward gifting to others. For example, when I first became a parent I received
the support, encouragement and knowledge of other more experienced parents
(usually mothers), through an organisation of which I am still a member. I have
remained a member, so that I can provide similar support to those who may be in
the same situation I was in, all those years ago. Those who supported me have
no need of me repaying their gift, but no doubt enjoy realising that their gift
has been paid forward.
However, if the ‘giver of the gift’ is never a ‘receiver’ of
gratitude, never sees the fruits of their giving, then they could become weary
from the experience. With this thought in mind, the Steindl-Rast quote then
takes on a whole new context. Perhaps it is necessary for the giver to be alert
to occasions when they can witness the value of their giving, and make that its
own reward.
In education, this may often be the case. Yes, students, parents
and colleagues may well acknowledge the efforts you have gone to. But in many
cases, where the greatest effort has been spent, the smallest immediate
acknowledgement occurs. But, as practitioners of Gratitude in Education, we may
witness the fruits of our efforts, and that may need to be enough of a gift to
receive.
Howells, K (2012), Gratitude
in Education: a radical view. Rotterdam: Sense.
No comments:
Post a Comment