To Take a Penny, or Leave a Penny. That is the Question...

I tend to over-analyze things. Usually to the point of ridiculousness. This article is no exception. I want to talk about the take a penny, leave a penny tray. You know the ones I'm talking about...usually at gas stations right by the register. There's an entire wikipedia article related to it if you feel like catching up on something completely random...I did.

Sorry, I don't have a story where I went to pay for my gas and noticed a silver twinkle in my eye which, lo and behold, was a quarter in the take a penny tray. Nor do I want to talk about the complete unnecessity of such a contraption thanks to the invention of electronic transaction devices. Rather I want to talk of my love for the Take a penny, leave a penny tray...or at least the concept of it.

Conceptualized it's perfect. If I need a penny I'm free to take one. If I have extra, I'm free to give. That philosophy can be used on just about every situation in life and if carried out successfully will almost always lead to a Utopian lifestyle. A few of my friends have even talked about that sort of mindset in reference to a consecrated lifestyle in a society. I agree with them, but I don't want to talk about that too much here. Instead, what's been on my mind lately is having that sort of motto, to take a penny or leave a penny, in regard to our relationships with others.

I believe that in order to have a healthy relationship, you need proper balance. I'm using relationship in the general sense here, it doesn't have to be romantic. Problem: In our ever advancing technological world, balance can be a very hard thing to find. Employers and educators are demanding more of our time, not to mention the social obligations we have to our friends and family. It's a big emotional strain. Solution: That's why at many times we need to rely on others for support. Loved ones and true friends will always be willing to lend a listening ear, share thoughts of concern, or give a shoulder to cry on. We all need those at times, and I sincerely hope that you provide them at times as well. If you don't it puts things out of balance and in my opinion takes advantage of those that were generous enough to offer help. To go back to our analogy, the take a penny tray only works if pennies continue to be put in as they are taken out.

I like telling people that I feel we're all on an emotional roller-coaster, complete with all it's ups and downs. When someone we care about starts to descend, it's our responsibility to help lift them back up. The idea is that when we get a little down in the dumps ourselves, someone will be there to pick us back up.

That's what led me to write my thoughts on this subject. It seems to me lately that too many people tend to be trying to take pennies out of the tray, but are never willing to put a few in. The mindset of our society is leaning towards the philosophy of getting something they feel they deserve, even though they have done nothing to deserve it. While that might not be changing on a globalized level anytime soon, you can make sure that you don't think that way, or more importantly that you don't act that way.

In my ward I currently have two official callings. I was having a conversation with my friend in Provo and mentioned that to him. He said that that never happens in his ward, and that they've actually started to make up callings to accommodate all of the people. That got me thinking. My ward was the same way, at least as far as making up callings to give everybody some sense of responsibility. I told him that we weren't necessarily short of people, just dependable people. Don't get me wrong. I love my ward to death, and have met some of the best people I've ever known there...but still there's a division of those that are incredibly innovative, letting accomplishment be their motivation, versus those that simply go with the flow. The difference it between ordinary and extraordinary. His response hit hard. He said that life can be difficult for those that will work because many times they make up for the people that won't work.

Ability had little to do with it. Rather dependability. So do what you can, you'll get better with time. It's alright to rely on others, we all have to at some point, but don't let that be a crutch your entire life. We were not meant for mediocrity, but progression and improvement. Sometimes that means taking a few steps in the darkness before we find the light switch.

Back to our analogy...go ahead and take a few pennies when you need them, however, my simple challenge for myself and you is to become the type of person that leaves pennies in the tray; you never know who may need them.