Reciprocity

"Gifts from the earth, or from each other, establish a particular relationship,
an obligation of sorts.
     To give
     To receive
     To reciprocate
The field gave to us.. and we tried to give back to the strawberries."

-Robin Wall-Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass

Rec·i·proc·i·ty
/ˌresəˈpräsədē/
noun
The practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit.
 

I sit in my fields, surrounded by cool peppermint leaves.
I inhale. 
Instantly calmed.
The oxygen a gift from the friends bedded around me. 
I am grateful.
I exhale.

The plants receive my gift.
My exhale.
They are then nourished.
The carbon dioxide I give is received. 

And so it goes.

'Tis the season.
Of giving and receiving.

Your giving:
This tea + These plants + This business
Your receiving:
Gratitude of: Your recipient + These plants + Me

To Give: Res·pi·ra·tion
/ˌrespəˈrāSHən/
noun
The intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide in living organisms.

What does it feel like when you give the perfect gift?

For me, it's watching a child when she locates a bright red strawberry and pops it in her mouth and then...

*wait for it*
*this is the best*

Her eyes widen... or maybe they close...

And she smiles.

"In God's reality, the more you give of yourself-in feeling, generosity, self-expression, goodness, creativity, and love-the more you will be given." -Deepak Chopra

To Receive: Tran·spi·ra·tion
/ˌtran(t)spəˈrāSHən/
noun 
(of a plant or leaf) The exhalation of oxygen gas and water vapor through the stomata.

For some...(myself included)
Receiving can be more difficult than giving, no?

Perhaps we feel unworthy.

Nature does not teach us this, however.
In nature, receiving is necessary.

Plants exhale oxygen. I must receive this gift.

To receive

In gratitude + In appreciation

Is to uplift the giver

Like nature, I want to be a good steward of abundance. 

"We are all bound by a covenant of reciprocity: plant breath for animal breath" -Robin Wall-Kimmerer

Rec·i·proc·i·ty
/ˌresəˈpräsədē/
noun
The practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit.

photo courtesy of Abby Anderson, Uproot 
These Hands and Hats
Belong to Uproot volunteers.

They have just spent hours picking berries.

Their berries to be distributed to local food pantries and senior centers.

My fields generously give more to me than I could ever need.
From the abundance of nature, we work together to share.

This is Reciprocity.
And it feels so beautiful.

"Imagine...

The books... the paintings... the poems... the clever machines... the compassionate acts... the transcendent ideas... the perfect tools.

Gifts of...

Mind... hands... heart... voice... vision.

All offered up on behalf of the earth.

Whatever our gift
we are called to give it.
To dance for the renewal of the world.
In return for the privilege of breath."

-Robin Wall-Kimmerer

Dear Tea-Drinker, I cannot find words to express my deepest gratitude to you. For sharing this beautiful experience of reciprocity with me. I am truly honored.

This month, my blessing to you is that we inhabit reciprocity. 

May we:
  Give in joy, abundance and love.
  Receive as good stewards of abundance and with deep appreciation.
  Reciprocate with the beautiful model nature provides in our hearts.

As always: 

Thank you 

I'm honored to be your herbal tea farmer. 

Be well,
Shannon