SOMETIMES, we may believe that every resource we receive or seize is limited by its finitude. Its value is greatly affected by how much of it we can own. For example, wealth is valuable because there always seems to be less of it available than we need. On the other hand, love is only valuable when it is unconditional and infinite. The moment wealth becomes abundant, and love becomes finite, they both begin to lose their lustre. Yet, strangely, neither having large amounts of wealth nor having small amounts of love, that is, having either resource in its least desirable form, makes the owner more likely to share it with another person. In fact, it makes him more likely to hoard it and keep it to himself. So we should consider whether it is the quantity of a resource that determines its value, or the perspective of its owner.
The desire for us to share seems inherent. From the very beginning of time, we have seemed inclined to share what we have with those around us. Everything from food to knowledge was something owned and shared by the entire community because the ignorance or starvation of even one member would become a significant loss to the whole village. Today, the idea of sharing is no longer an obligation for survival but rather a moral option. The rich are not necessarily seen as cruel for not sharing their wealth with those who struggle, but when they do share, they are celebrated and acknowledged as being generous. A population may not perish because it is made up of selfish members, but when people do choose to help each other, it is more likely to thrive.
So, now that the ability to share is no longer about a population’s survival, it ironically becomes a largely individual responsibility. Although we may not realise it, sharing is one of the only ways by which our lives can gain meaning. We do not need to be altruistic to be generous. We only need to have the desire to find a greater purpose for ourselves. As we go about our lives, without even realising it, we find ways to give pieces of ourselves to the world. This is our way of making a mark and creating more space within ourselves to grow. If we lose the ability to share, we begin to lose our sense of identity.
Sometimes, sharing is not just about what we can afford to give; it is also about what we must let go of. Burdens that we can no longer carry may easily become a new relationship if we choose to share them with others. Memories that are too heavy for us to hold may become lessons for generations that are seeking ways to learn and grow. Even in today’s world, when sharing has become an individual imperative rather than a collective one, sharing is a way to retain our sense of community and belonging.
The world today moves far too quickly for us to think about giving or gaining trust. Sometimes it is hard for us even to share our thoughts, let alone our time and energy, with those around us. Yet there are still small ways in which we seek the joy that comes from sharing. When we post pictures on social media or smile at a stranger, we are, in fact, sharing something with them.
There are both good things and bad things that we can share. Regardless of what we choose to give to someone else, the very act of sharing something allows us to build a bridge with others. As we grow, we will experience sorrow and pain in the same way that we will experience joy and happiness. We will find success and also have to weather failure. In all these things, the only factor that makes our experiences worth their effect on us is our ability to share them with others. So, when you have a little or a lot, when you have something that means something to you, would you choose to share it?
