The Gift Economy

Posted byLisa at Micro of the MacroPosted inGratitude, Health & Well-Being, Psychological HealthTags:, , , , , ,

When I was a small girl in the Southern US, my Grandmother kept a sizable vegetable garden, a large number of chickens, a few cows, and several pigs. My memories of time in the garden and with the animals outnumber any others from those days.  I befriended one of the chickens, actually a rooster, who would sit in my lap & allow me to pet him.  And I helped slop the hogs many evenings, although I never got too close to them or the cows, for fear of being bitten or stepped on.

A bounty recently shared from a neighbor’s harvest

When it came time to harvest, some vegetables were canned or placed in my granny’s deep freeze, and some went to family members, neighbors, and friends.  This sharing also took place when one of the animals was slaughtered.  And folks were always bringing by free baskets of beans, corn, apples, berries, and jars of freshly made jam.  I didn’t know I was witnessing a gift economy; that’s just the way things were done.  

In a recent essay in Emergence Magazine, Robin Wall-Kimmerer, State University of NY Distinguished Professor of Environmental Biology and the Founder and Director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, considers a similar gift economy as she’s picking Serviceberries, also called Juneberries.  These unique fruits are enjoyed not only by her and her neighbors, but also many other citizens. It is a preferred browse of Deer and Moose, a vital source of early pollen for newly emerging insects, and host to a suite of butterfly larvae—like Tiger Swallowtails, Viceroys, Admirals, and Hairstreaks—and berry-feasting birds who rely on those calories in breeding season, she writes.

Kimmerer names the essential gifts received by the tree in return for this bounty of sweet berries, stating its economy is based upon reciprocity rather than accumulation, where wealth and security come from the quality of relationships, not from the illusion of self-sufficiency. Without gift relationships with bees and birds, Serviceberries would disappear from the planet.  All flourishing is mutual, she sets forth.

Wildflowers in Kachina Peaks Wilderness, Northern Arizona

Generosity is a major theme of the essay.  In past posts including The Generosity of Plants and Wildflowers: Resilience, Beauty, & Grace, I have written about benefits of altruism in the plant world.  And human studies show that generosity can boost immune function, reduce stress, improve mental health, and prolong life.  

I am blessed to be a part of a gift economy with a small group of neighbors & friends, with whom I exchange garden veggies, nuts, farmers market picks, flowers, holiday goodies, and help with snow removal & cat sitting. They are always willing to lend a helping hand, and vice versa. But since childhood, I have seen less and less of this good-hearted reciprocity.  I believe the inflation and short supply of goods and services (in the US) brought about by covid has resulted in a population consumed with thoughts of scarcity.  But must fear prevent us from establishing a strong, loving community?  

Kimmerer has the perfect antidote for this fear: naming the world as a gift.  She explains: Conceiving of something as a gift changes your relationship to it in a profound way.  She gives an example of a hat knitted by a beloved auntie vs. one bought at a store, saying that you’re much more likely to take better care of the hand-knitted one because it is knit of relationships. She continues, this is the power of gift thinking. I imagine if we acknowledged that everything we consume is the gift of Mother Earth, we would take better care of what we are given.  To name the world as gift is to feel one’s membership in the web of reciprocity. It makes you happy—and it makes you accountable.

Reading Kimmerer’s essay makes me even more appreciative of those practices from my formative years, based on the infinitely renewable resource of kindness, which multiplies every time it is shared rather than depreciating with use, in her words.  (To sample more of her writing, check out my post Does the Earth Love You?)

I hope your heart, like mine, has been opened by sharing in Kimmerer’s knowledge and ideas.  May our inspiration and collective willingness to participate more fully in a gift economy be spurred to create a kinder world. 

Blessings for Shared Abundance,

Lisa

All flourishing is mutual. ~Robin Wall-Kimmerer

The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented herein. Any statements about the possible health benefits of any subject discussed have not been evaluated by medical professionals or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.

76 thoughts on “The Gift Economy”

  5. Thank you for your lovely article. So nice to hear someone else that is looking for the positive instead of swelling on fear in our world today. My mother was another example of ‘a gift economy.’ We had a large garden, and many berry plants and fruit trees. While she canned a lot, there was no way we could use all they grew so she would pick everything as it ripened and deliver it to family and friends who could use it. Our world would be a better place today if it had more moms like her around.

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  6. Wonderful post! Often, when I am out in my yard, I remember the many different people who gifted me with plants. It is incredible how these plants have multiplied and grown. I have given many plants to others as well. It is kind of like a ‘healing garden’ because these plants are reminders of the healing power of kindness and generosity.

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    1. Hi, Rosaliene, thank you for sharing this truth. I agree, most of us have become pawns of the powerful wealthy elite (PWE), and our lives suffer as a result. But Kimmerer is right – not even the PWE will flourish if our species becomes extinct, which is the direction in which they have us pointed, in my opinion. Thanks for dropping by! 🌞

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  9. Lisa, what a glorious post! I just love Robin Wall-Kimmerer’s writing, her words flow off the page into my whirring mind and all of a sudden, there is calm. What a gift she has! She is over 3000 miles away and from a very different background, but her voice resonates in my head and my heart. Thank you for your wonderful, sharing posts. Have a lovely weekend 👐🤗🌹🙋‍♂️

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      1. I also meant to say thank you for the link to the RWK article The Serviceberry. As far as I can see she has only written 2 books, Braiding Sweetgrass which we already love and her first book Gathering Moss. I’m always on the lookout for more of her writing.

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  10. Pingback: ReBlogging ‘The Gift Economy’ – Link Below | Relationship Insights by Yernasia Quorelios

  11. Wonderful post Lisa and such a fabulous reminder of the power of community and gift economy. It brought back memories of my childhood, growing up amid fruit trees and organic gardens, my mum sewing and making things for others, The world needs more of that giving type of living. Big hugs and much love sent to you. ❤️

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    1. Nice to see you here again, Miriam! I’m happy to hear the post resonated with your experience. Indeed, we need more of that giving type of living, to use your perfect phrase. We can all participate in some way, I believe. Sending lovingkindness your way as well! 🌞

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  12. Friends like that are a true blessing. I think sometimes these days people think they don’t have anything worth offering others when small things would be just fine. Many people don’t have gardens or skills they feel would help others.

    As a Christian, I believe that God gave us the earth as both a gift and a responsibility so that means caring for and sharing. Funny story about sharing: my father-in-law loved to grow huge veggies, such as zucchini, so large that no one wanted them. 😉. And of course everyone else was growing veggies at the same time.

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    1. Hi, Janet, I’m thrilled to see you here again! I agree, I think a lot of people look at their bank balance or their monthly budget & think, “well I have nothing to share.” But sharing is about so much more than things that cost money. Indeed, the earth is a gift & responsibility that is being managed poorly. Your FIL sounds like a neighbor of mine, who is always so proud to share his huge cucumbers, but when I use them, I have to scrape out the seeds, as they’re overripe. Have a great weekend! 🌞

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  13. I was very interested to read this today, as I am reading Kimmerer’s book “Braiding Sweetgrass”. It’s such a wonderful book that speaks of many Indigenous traditions and beliefs like reciprocity. I highly recommend it if you haven’t read it.

    I really do wonder why we’ve become so self-centered as a society. It’s a shame.

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    1. Yes, yes, Braiding Sweetgrass is a gem of a book. One of the links I shared within this post, “Does the Earth Love You?” is based on the book. You’re right, we all have something to share, if we’d just put some thought into it. Have a great weekend, Michelle! 🌞

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  15. Thank you for this well done post. Both of our book clubs have Braiding Sweetgrass as the book and I’m loving the treasured gifts of her words like I do yours Lisa. I can just see you sitting on your grandmother’s lap with the chickens, pigs, cows .. Your pictures are gorgeous!
    💞

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  17. There is nothing quite like sharing food with friends, family, and those we love. There is a reciprocity in these acts, which speaks of the heart, an openness to connect on a level that fosters community and healing. I love making and sharing food with people, and to partake in their tasty creations. A lovely post to read on this beautiful fall Saturday. Happy weekend, Lisa! 🍂🌻

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  18. I had no idea that we shared a background on a farm! No wonder you are so down to earth. You slopped hogs and I milked a cow and herded cattle—well, my horse did. You amaze me and I appreciate who you are.

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  20. Beautiful post, Lisa! Lovely photos, and a heartwarming story. ❤ Too bad the gift economy is largely a thing of the past. People don't have gardens as much as they used to, and fewer people bake at home…Those were the days that gave rise to a multitude of zucchini recipes! I remember that zucchini bread was surprisingly good! 🙂

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      1. Chocolate zucchini bread sounds so delicious, Lisa! You just reminded me it is time for lunch! I do have some homemade ketogenic fudge in the refrigerator. 🙂

        Our neighbors were a tremendous help to us during the aftermath of Hurricane Ian! I hope you are right about bringing back neighborliness! ❤

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  21. Excellent, nourishing post. I didn’t know there was a term for this: gift economy is perfect. This is common in The Philippines where I come from and a language spoken and taught to us by our mother. I really hope more people discover its joys and foster communities. We need more of that.

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  22. Such an inspiring post dear Lisa, thank you for sharing. Thank you also for sharing your beautiful childhood memories 🌸💕 I absolute love the idea and encouragement to participate more fully in a gift economy, I know this can but only create a kinder world.

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  23. Gift/Sharing Economy sounds like a great definition for “Rural Living”, I think you are right, as a general society we are leaking vital fluids (generosity, apathy, caring, sharing etc.). What I can safely say is, those traits are still alive and well in the country. Great topic!

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  24. What a beautiful post, Lisa. And, the concept of the gift economy is generous. Same as you, I remember whenever I visit my granny’s house in the countryside, people used to share everything there from food, resources, talks, and kindness. But as a grown-up, it feels like it all left behind. I miss those days.

    But I must say Kimmerer’s thoughts have opened up a new perspective. A perspective to thank mother nature and make this world a beautiful place.

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    1. Hi, Ritish, I appreciate you sharing your experience. I felt those days were gone, too, until I moved into my current house, where neighbors started coming over to help remove our snow before we’d even met them! And then, the floodgates opened, and the sharing of hearts began. Great to see you! 🌞

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      1. I’m happy you find those days again and that was such a kind thing your neighbors did. They’re surely good people.

        (We’re on short blogging break and I know we missed a lot of amazing blog post, but now we’re back)

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  27. My family is originally from the south (Virginia). They had their own farm, had and raised animals, made homemade soaps for others to use.

    My grandmother grew her garden of cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers and a few other things when she came to New York.

    I used to go in our backyard and pick them all when they were ripe, and she would give some of her crops away for free to certain people she knew in the neighborhood.

    I enjoyed reading your post. It was informative and had a great message that all could benefit from.

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  28. On our road trips out west, I often think of those vast cornfields and other seeds planted as nature’s way of giving back to humans amid agift economy. . I’d love to ponder this subject more in my travels.

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