【likemostpeople,iwasbroughtuptolookuponlifeasaprocessofgetting.Likemostpeople,Iwasbroughtuptolookuponlifeasaprocessofgetting.ItwasnotuntilinmylatethirtiesthatImadethisimportantdiscovery:giving-awaymakeslifeso】

　　likemostpeople,iwasbroughtuptolookuponlifeasaprocessofgetting.

　　Likemostpeople,Iwasbroughtuptolookuponlifeasaprocessofgetting.ItwasnotuntilinmylatethirtiesthatImadethisimportantdiscovery:giving-awaymakeslifesomuchmoreexciting.Youneednotworryifyoulackmoney.ThisishowIexperimentedwithgiving-away.Ifanideaforimprovingthewindowdisplayofaneighborhoodstoreflashestome,Istepinandmakethesuggestiontothestorekeeper.OnediscoveryImadeaboutgiving-awayisthatitisalmostimpossibletogiveawayanythinginthisworldwithoutgettingsomethingback,thoughthereturnoftencomesinanunexpectedform.OneSundaymorningthelocalpostofficedeliveredanimportantspecialdeliverylettertomyhome,thoughitwasaddressedtomeatmyoffice.Iwrotethepostmasteranoteofappreciation.MorethanayearlaterIneededapost-officeboxforanewbusinessIwasstarting.Iwastoldatthewindowthattherewerenoboxesleft,andthatmynamewouldhavetogoonalongwaitinglist.AsIwasabouttoleave,thepostmasterappearedinthedoorway.Hehadoverheardourconversation.“Wasn’tityouthatwroteusthatletterayearagoaboutdeliveringaspecialdeliverytoyourhome?”Isaidyes.“Well,youcertainlyaregoingtohaveaboxinthispostofficeifwehavetomakeoneforyou.Youdon’tknowwhataletterlikethatmeanstous.Weusuallygetnothingbutcomplaints.”