Faces of BFY - Nicola

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"My joy comes from being able to provide my friends and loved ones with what they need. Seeing someone happy and knowing that you have helped to bring about that happiness, even if for a short moment, brings much satisfaction and joy to me.

And because I have given, therefore I have received.  Many a times, I have been on the receiving end of a very generous act, mostly unexpected and sometimes at the moment when I needed it the most. A simple example where my ezlink card ran out of money and I didn’t have enough spare coins, the bus driver very kindly allowed me to pay what I had, even though it was less than the required amount for where I was going. You can say that the bus driver didn’t have a choice and so had to just allow me anyway, but no, he DID have a choice. He could have scolded me, given me a black face or even worse, chase me off the bus. But during the few incidents in which it happened (not that I do it on purpose of course), the bus drivers were very kind and allowed me to stay on the bus. For this simple thing I am grateful. Because I have seen worse things happen when people don’t have spare change to pay for their bus ride.

And that’s how it often is, because we have seen the negative, we appreciate the positive. And when we are on the receiving end of positivity, it inspires us (at least it inspires me anyway) to do the same for others.  

However the form in which I have received was not necessarily the form in which I have given. When the motivation behind giving is one of positivity and good intention, naturally what you receive will be of the same nature. And I know this to be true because I have experienced it for myself.

So if you were to ask if I’m a giver or a taker, I would say again that because I have given, therefore I have received. And because I have received, I give."
- Nicola