Corn-flavored Pretz taught me that Give and Take is an 'exchange of hearts' | Human Relationships | Heart | Greetings | Exchange | Values

One day, I handed over a tea bag at the library.
In return, I received a box of corn-flavored Pretz.

This small event taught me that 'give and take' is actually an 'exchange of hearts'.

ぜひ、温かい飲み物と一緒にお楽しみください。

The day I received Pretz in return for a tea bag.

One day, someone at the library asked me, 'Are you Japanese?'
I made a new friend.
And as we parted ways, I gave them a roasted green tea bag.

私は留学中、新しく出会った人にお茶を渡すように決めている。
お菓子外交のようなもので、「お茶外交」と呼んでいる。

The tea I gave wasn't anything special; it was just a regular tea you can find at any drugstore, with about 20 bags in a box.

'It's Japanese tea, so please enjoy it.' Just a small gift like that.

It happened when I visited the library again a few days later.

'Murakun-san!'

When I turned around after being suddenly called by name, there was the friend I had given the tea to.
I wondered what it was, looking puzzled.

They held out a box.

Corn-flavored Pretz.

It seemed to be a thank-you for the tea from the other day.

What I had given was just a single tea bag.
In return, I received a gift many times larger than that.

GIVE is a signal that affirms the other person's 'existence'

It's just Pretz, but then again, it's Pretz.
The moment I held it, my heart felt gently warmed.

なぜ、こんなに嬉しいのだろう。 

It wasn't about the exchange of 'things' like tea or Pocky itself, but because I received the message contained within:'I am thinking of you.'

There are many sayings that 'GIVE is important.'
But the idea is to give because you will get a Take in return.

私には、そう言っているようにも聞こえてしまう。

GIVE is,
'I know you'
'I am paying attention to you'

a kindness that affirms the other person's existence, isn't it?a kindness that affirms the other person's existence isn't it?

Greetings are also a wonderful form of 'give'

When you think of it that way,
the 'greetings' we casually exchange in our daily lives are also a form of GIVE.

Those words are a matter of etiquette.

But,'I am acknowledging your existence right now'
is the message.

Just conveying that you 'care'.
That alone can make you feel a little warmer.

Both Give and Take warm the heart

I don't know why it's called Give and Take.

But,'Whether you are giving something or receiving something in return, both warm the heart in the same way'.

The return gift of a box of Pocky reached my heart.
A warmth that says 'you are being cared for' that goes beyond material value.

Start by greeting the person in front of you.
Start by paying just a little bit of attention.

From such small GIVES, our daily lives should become a much, much warmer place.

Let's try saying 'thank you for your hard work' on the way home today.
Or let's try giving a smile and a nod.

Then the way home today will be warm and cozy.

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