Both are acts of giving, sharing and helping someone obviously less fortunate than you are (unless you just don't really like the one fish you have). But there is a significant difference that I see between the two. I called the former an open hand gesture. And the second, along with the open hand there is an open heart.
What is the difference?
With an open hand, you are giving to someone else the material product of your labour. This person of course can simply live off this gift for only as long as it lasts and fortunately or unfortunately material things can only last so long. (I'm not suggesting this is heartless… just trying to differentiate the two.)
Pair this with an open heart and the gesture goes MUCH further. To teach a man to fish, would require time, patience, motivation, determination, and love. The best thing about all this is that none of these open heart qualities are tangible material things, but they are what helps a man learn to feed himself for a lifetime. In a much cheaper material way but priceless open hearted gesture, you would have given a man his life.
Of course, I'm hoping you can see this not just about the fish.
This is not only about teaching a trade or a skill, but by doing various things and helping another person better themselves, you are sharing your time with another and showing that you care for them, their well-being and evidently their futures.
There are so many people to whom the metaphorical fish can be given to, but of course they would simply be eating for that day. Open your hearts along with your hands and give gifts of both. That way you both reap the rewards. Give them the ability to shape their lives and somewhere along the road, those to whom you offered help to would be offering that same help to someone new: Open hands and open hearts would open more.
Give a gift of love and time today and make someone smile.
Including yourself if you need it…
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