Don't do me any Favors

**Favor - something done or granted out of goodwill, rather than from justice or for remuneration; a kind act**

Why has the term "favor" become misconstrued into a synonym of "loan?"  Doesn't it seem as though favors are too often granted in order to store up favors that you need?  How often are favors performed out of goodwill, referenced in the definition above?  How often do you hear "you owe me"..........?

A favor is not a loan, it's not a deposit into an account of future favors that you get to redeem.  It's not a loan of time, effort, or energy that you are mandated to pay back at a future date.  True favors take place between family, friends, and colleagues.............during times when you could use some help, and there are people willing to step in and help because they care about your well being...period.  Favors should not come with a price tag, a scolding frown, or a "you owe me" to follow.

Acts of assistance that do come with a price tag or a "you owe me" later are great events, they happen every day.........they are called trades, barters, swaps, and many other things.  "I'll do this for you if you do something for me."  This is how business is done, it's how we get so much accomplished everyday.  So we should promote it as such.  We should straight-up offer to do things for people for some in-return assistance, if that's what we desire.  Be up front, tell people that what they've asked of you is a huge burden and you would like to get paid back down the road if you go through with it.  I don't think anyone will have a problem with that.

But, please don't offer to do a favor, and then expect something in return for it.  And definitely don't hold a grudge when you don't receive anything back.  Performing a favor that's not with goodwill, and with a greedy heart doesn't help anybody.  We all need help, and we all rely on others to do us favors.  But, let's call a spade a spade, and either do the favor because we care about that person and want to help them out............or let them know up front that you expect to get something down the road.  I help you - you help me, that's how we operate.  But don't take for granted that people are quite often happy to help just because.  Call it a belief in Karma, or call it a generous heart..............that's what you call a favor.