“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
– Sir Winston Churchill

“Perhaps it goes against our instinct for survival to give away what we have… a fatal philosophy is formed: what I gain, you lose; what I lose, you gain.

“This dog-eat-dog philosophy, of course, brings us nothing but grief. We are all in this life together, dependent on one another. We now know that when we give, there is no sacrifice; it is all our gain. We now know that when another loses, we lose something too. We are not in competition with others anymore; instead, we need them. They are our means to discovery; they are our doorway to the spiritual world.”

– “In God’s Care*: Daily Meditations on Spirituality in Recovery,” May 24
*As We Understand God

The meditation book the aforementioned is quoted from is focused on 12 Step recovery. In working the steps to recover from an eating disorder and being a part of the fellowship, I have come to solidify the philosophy espoused in the excerpt.

Helping one another in recovery, truly knowing that we are in this together—that we need one another—, that there is a Higher Power, and so many other aspects of the 12 Step philosophy changed my outlook upon life, people, and the world at large 180 degrees. My life was no longer unmanageable and became rich with friendship, growth, service, love, and Spirit because others helped me and I helped them.

No one needs to think that if one person gains something then scarcity dictates another person loses—it just isn’t so. This is an abundant universe and there is plenty for everyone in this world: love, financial prosperity, etc. We can help one another, be there for one another and not sacrifice anything. When we give, we gain.