Emotional Indigestion

Sometimes people ask me: How much should I share or give away?

• Knowledge with colleagues at work?

• Money or other resources with relatives or friends?

The golden rule is simple: Share only as much as you can digest without bitterness, even if the favour is not returned or acknowledged.

The Dilemma of Sharing

If you are a healer or consider yourself a good person, you may naturally feel inclined to share more – sometimes even overshare – because you believe it is morally right to help others with your time, money, or resources.

I often meet people who lent money to friends and never got it back, or those who regularly help colleagues with their knowledge but receive no recognition or credit. Later, these same people complain about being cheated or treated unfairly.

The frustration can be avoided if you share only what you can digest emotionally.

Finding the Golden Mark

So, where should one draw the line when sharing knowledge, wealth, or resources?

The answer: Share only what you can afford to lose without resentment.

• If a friend asks for ₹50,000 as a loan, give only the amount you know you won’t regret losing if it is not returned. Depending on your financial situation and the depth of your friendship, that could be ₹5,000, ₹10,000, or even the full ₹50,000.

• In the workplace, if you feel your contributions often go unrecognized, limit your knowledge-sharing to the level that doesn’t bother you if credit is not given.

• With relatives, if you regularly help with expenses, give only what you can part with peacefully, without expecting repayment.

Bonus vs. Burden

If your friend returns the loan, or if you receive recognition for your efforts at work, consider it a bonus—not an expectation.

Remember: Indigestion is the mother of all diseases. And it’s not just about food - it applies to emotions and experiences too.

To avoid emotional indigestion, give only what your heart and mind can comfortably digest.