Seesaw

Please ride with me the seesaw; it’s the only way to live...
To learn about the wonder of what happens when you give.
Each present that I offer makes me lighter than before,
And when someone accepts it I am lifted off the floor.

And on those rare occasions when I find I’m feeling down
I need to look at all I have and lose the selfish frown.
For when I start to give again my heart begins to rise.
Some things that I’ve held on to kept me down to my surprise.

But life must have it’s ups and downs, so even when we’re low
It’s just an opportunity that comes to help us grow.
And even if we’re falling if we grab the chance to learn,
We will be lifted up again when it becomes our turn.

So give what is inside you and accept what comes your way,
And think about the ups and downs as being how we play.
We play upon the seesaw when we give and we receive,
The things you lose can lift you but you have to let them leave.

It’s true that mostly giving is the way to win this game,
But we must look for balance if we want to feel the same.
So sometimes I may take from you whatever makes you fall,
To bring you back across from me where we can both feel tall.

John H. Bidwell