@tldr

A reflection on positive sum thinking. This is really a key value — maybe the key value — for me. I’ve discovered that from a lot of stray paths. When I accidentally slip into zero sum thinking for too long, I feel less clear minded, less happy, and — ironically — less effective at achieving good outcomes for my own self. And on the other hand: when I contribute to people who aren’t ready to really make use of it, or who don’t care about me in the same way, this is also not positive sum — toward me. It is not only others who deserve justice, but you deserve it yourself. It takes a significant amount of trust, patience, and bravery to commit to what you can give; self respect and confidence to remember also what your should get. It’s the number one thing I’d wish for others to keep in mind for themselves. (Also: what each of us thinks is “positive” within positive sum thinking can be very different. Continuing to learn — and dare I say introspect — about this is also important for me to make sure that the things I am doing are actually good for myself and others, not simply good intentions. It is a journey.)

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