“When you learn, teach, when you get, give.”
This quote is by Maya Angelou who was a poet, writer, and civil rights activist and who lived from 1928 to 2014.
When I first read Angelou’s quote, I admired how she said so much with just a few words. In fact, if each of us would endeavor to live in a way that reflects her words, we would add to what matters in our world and we would have an increased sense of purpose.
Her words “When you learn, teach” can refer to many types of teaching. I think back to the numerous people who helped me to learn about various aspects of life when I was a child and teenager, and then later as a young adult living independently. I think of my parents, grandparents, family friends—all of them played a part in my life. Although they didn’t think of themselves as my teachers, I learned from what they said and did, by what they made possible for me, from their encouragement, and in many other ways. For they were teaching me based on what they had learned from their experiences, including what people had taught them in the same ways. And as a young adult, I also learned about aspects of life through interactions with employers and coworkers, friends, and others with whom I came into contact along the way.
I believe Angelou’s words also refer to a more direct type of teaching. When we read to and with our children or grandchildren, for example, we help them to learn to read and we also give them the opportunity to develop a desire to read. In addition, we give them the gift of sharing our time with them and showing that we care for them. This is true when we do other activities together as well.
Angelou’s words “when you get, give” remind us to be generous—generous by assisting and sharing our time with others, as well as by giving material items or money, including to valuable causes. Her words also remind me of Christ’s teachings about being generous. “Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8. There are many ways we can give to others.
It’s important that we recognize our ability to “pay it forward”—to pass on good deeds and experiences from which we have benefited to others as those opportunities arise. We do this when we share both what we have learned and what we have received so that we can help to make other people’s lives better.