Thinking of others

When I was in elementary school the teacher would instruct us in how to be giving. If there were two unequal sized pieces of cake, we were told to always take the smaller one. Even at the age of 5 I had questions about the validity of that example. What if the other person didn't like that particular flavor or wasn't very hungry? I grappled with that dilemma for quite awhile before I realized that it would be simpler to just ask the other person what they would like rather than take responsibility for meeting their needs. It is wonderful when someone anticipates our needs and provides for them when they are accurate. Yet how many times have we attempted to do so and missed the mark? Much of the frustration in unsuccessfully meeting another's needs could be avoided by simply asking, "What do you need or want right now?" or "What can I get you?" We then remain open to their response and act accordingly. In the case of the cake, we may learn that they would prefer to eat a smaller piece later or to slice the cake so that both of you have the same size. Thus both sides leave the situation satisfied with the outcome. The next time you are unsure about what it would take to meet the needs of another, just stop and ask. How would your life be easier if you could take the guesswork out of helping others?