The title of this blog is a restatement of the old principle that you will reap what you sow.  It is such a universal and predictable phenomenon that in some circles it is referred to as “the law of sowing and reaping.” Let’s see how it works in a transformation challenge, shall we?

First of all, what Bill Phillips called the universal law of reciprocation is essentially the same thing as the principle that you will reap what you sow. Bill says that you should do good for others whenever you get the chance and that good things will come back to you without you even having to keep track of it. When I mention this principle to others who are struggling with certain issues, such as envy or jealousy, I generally recommend that they not only do nice things for others, but that they specifically target their good deeds toward people who have no capacity to pay them back, and to do it anonymously, telling no one.Practicing the principle that way not only eventually gets good things back to the person doing it, but it also gives them the immediate and almost indescribable joy that comes from anonymously helping another in need.

 Pop psychology would probably have a ready answer for why it happens that way, but I tend to think that when we act more like God, we become more joyful and less selfish.  One working a transformation who does things like folks did several months ago, sending supplies of supplements to troops in Iraq, gets a terrific boost from just doing that act. And they get much more back when they hear from the folks they helped. The people who did this also got a renewed vigor for finishing their challenges as strongly and carefully as they possibly could. All that, just for sending some supplements to another. 

Want to test this “law” before spending a lot of time deciding who to help and what to do? The quickest test you can come up with is just to paste a smile on your face with every person you meet. See how often you get that smile back. In fact, make a mental note of it. Then, put a frown on your face as you encounter someone, and see what you get back. It’s a quick analogy of how this works in real life. It’s also a reminder that this principle of reaping and sowing is a kissing cousin to the age old “golden rule” about loving your neighbor as you love yourself.

Newcomers to the transformation routine often decide to put this off until they get the transformation routine down pat. But, many of them would also probaably admit that they have put this principle off for most of their lives. Indeed, for many, the fix they are in when they come to this program can be traced to taking actions that were calculated only to benefit them, and to cutting corners in other essential areas of their lives. This  kind of behavior inevitably leads to sadness, depression and repressed anger, which all lead to overeating and underperforming.  So, it stands to reason that acting the opposite of selfish will be the way out of those syndromes.

Make working the law of sowing and reaping a regular, at least weekly, “exercise” that you write in your journal just like your workouts. You’ll be glad you did!