JUGHEADS
Youth Juggling Company, LLC
5905 Concord Avenue
Edina, MN 55424
jugheads@comcast.net
or 952.926.0896

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December 2006

"The Virtues of Giving and Receiving"

Ah, The Giving Season. That's safe to say, isn't it? Non-sectarian, non-religious, politically correct. No one, except perhaps the pre-reformed Ebeneezer Scrooge, can deny that giving is a noble act. For every act of giving, there is an act of receiving. It is possible to receive nobly as well. There are blessings to be had both in giving and receiving, but the former is more blessed than the latter. Even the poorest of the world find joy when they give to others (see Nov. 1999 Paul's Platform on our Web site).

By stark contrast, there is great strife, discontent, and wickedness with the antitheses of giving: stealing and hoarding. Regarding the former, our house was robbed on Nov. 19, the only time any break-in was attempted in our 10 years of living on Concord Avenue. The thieves made off with relatively minimal goods and avoided wanton damage. While we have been inconvenienced, we're not the real victims: the thieves are the pitiable ones, resorting to crime to either feed a drug addiction or sloth or some other "need."

The more subtle form of robbery is hoarding: keeping all of one's time, talents, and most often, treasures to oneself, unwilling or afraid to give without expecting anything in return. That is bondage to the things of this world and to the god of self. Giving of oneself to a world in need is a divine act, but it is not entirely selfless: joy comes to the giver, and some even believe that eternal rewards will also result for every act of generosity. From JH Assistants to the newest Rec. members, my hope is that the virtues of generous giving and grateful receiving, in all of their various forms, is evident here in this blessed youth company.