The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World

I love the writings of Robin Wall Kimmerer; I loved reading BRAIDING SWEETGRASS. THE SERVICEBERRY is just about as good. The emphasis here is on abundance and reciprocity....and giving/sharing. The problem is that in most cases the wrong people will read this book. Those who could most benefit from the messages in it won't read it but will just continue on with their endless taking. John Burgoyne's drawings are great also.

A lovely gentle and inspiring read

I was so excited when I saw that a new book by Dr Robin Wall Kimmerer is coming out! So I ordered it straight away, and a couple of days later, I was fully submerged in her thoughts of gift economy. The book is lovely, the delivery was super prompt, so all in all: five stars and one more :)

This beautiful little book gives you plenty to think about. The illustrations complement the text perfectly and help convey it's sweet message. I expected it to be a bit longer, but it's the expansion of an essay/article done previously. I love the author's insights based on her Native American heritage. There is so much wisdom there. The core message of the analogy to the serviceberry is reflected in the subtitle, "Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World." Everything we have and need comes from the Earth as a gift. We should take only what we need. Greed and hoarding are not how nature operates. When do we attain the feeling of "enoughness?" It's message is also nicely expressed in Chief Seattle's quote, "Take only memories, leave only footprints" from a speech he gave on honoring the environment. Sharing builds friends and community. Giving back benefits both the donor and the recipient. She states, "Gratitude and reciprocity are the currency of a gift economy, and they have the remarkable property of multiplying with every exchange, their energy concentrating as they pass from hand to hand, a truly renewable resource." Indigenous cultures had a beautiful concept of community and taking care of one other. Small communities often operate in a similar manner. Each of us could start with our families by instilling the concept of giving, reciprocity, and gratitude, then expanding it to friends, neighbors, and relatives. After all, it's the family where such beliefs should begin.

llego con una mancha en la cubierta y era para un regalo.