©Bonnie Druschel. Waterfall at Puffer’s Pond, Amherst, Mass.

I learn to accept prosperity instead of exchanging it.  If a friend gives me a gift or takes me to lunch, I don’t have to immediately reciprocate.  I allow the person to give me the gift.  I accept it with joy and pleasure.  I may never reciprocate to that person.  I may give to someone else.  If someone gives me a gift that I can’t use or don’t want, I say:  I accept this gift with joy and pleasure and gratitude, and then I pass it on to someone else.