Mutuality and Reciprocity

Edgar Cahn, father to the Time Bank movement (and author of bet ever title for a book 'No More Throw Away People) regularly recites this Suffi poem which strikes at the heart of the message of mutuality and reciprocity

I asked for the strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to learn and to solve.
I asked for prosperity and God gave me a brain and brawn to to work.
I asked for courage and God gave me dangers to overcome.
I asked for love and God gave me people to help.
I asked foe favours and God gave me opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted.
I received everything I needed.

Suffi poem - attributed to Hazrat Inaya Khan