Damn You Law of Reciprocity!
Damn You Law of Reciprocity!Howdy. I've written about the Law of Reciprocity before (see the July 2 2004 post) but, like a lot of great strategies, it bears repeating.
By the 'Law of Reciprocity' I mean when someone does something nice for you, you are way, way more likely to respond favourably to anything that person requests (or even doesn't request). Sounds a bit cynical, but it's just basically: be nice to people and they'll be nice back.
It's because people like dealing with people they like (and people like you if you do nice things for them without obligation).
Why I'm Now On The Committee For The Scout Troop
This is how I find myself on the committee for Scouts.
Jack, my adventurous 12 yo son, is a Scout. He loves it. They're a nice bunch of people and he looks forward to his Troop meeting every Thursday evening.
So along he went last night.
My wife and I also attended because the Leaders wanted to have a meeting to discuss some fundraising issues (the Scouts, like many similar organisations, run very close to the wind financially) and positions that needed filling on the Scout committee.
We arrived for the meeting towards the end of the Troop get together.
A Lost Cat
Jack has a cat he adores called Ash. Ash has been with us for a year and a half and is, I suspect, more loved by the rest of my family than I am. Harsh but true.
Anyway, Ash hasn't been home in 3 days. That's most unlike him. So things are getting pretty grim in the Sinclair household.
Especially for Jack. He's a kid who really wears his heart on his sleeve and had been having a cry at Scouts because he was worried about Ash.
As Mel and I walked by we saw him checking his watch every 10 seconds - he just wanted out of there so he could get home and start searching for the cat again.
Scouts Ends With A Prayer
The Scouts meeting ends with a prayer. 'Spud' - Jack's Scout leader - had been comforting Jack and knew about the lost cat. It was Spud who led the finishing prayer. It went along in the usual way until she reached the end.....'And please take care of Jack and help him find his cat."
By the time Spud finished she was crying along with Jack!
What a lovely thing to do for Jack.
"Who Wants To Be On The Committee?"
Mel (my wife) and I go into the meeting and at the end the question is asked: "Who would like to help us out by being on the committee?"
This is about 10 minutes after the touching moment outside where the Scout Troop took my Jack under their wing and took care of him.
And that's why Mel and I are both on the Scout Troop Committee.
Have a good day.
Brendon
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