Life as exchange is not entirely distinguishable from life as acquisition, but it has it’s own rhythm and energy. We trade up, we swap, we bargain.
Having lived in the Middle East where bartering dominates, I could be convinced that there are cultures in the world that are dominated by the habit of exchange.
Just as owning things is indispensable and unavoidable, trading up and swapping is as well. Some of life’s exchanges are, in fact, imbedded in the life experience itself. If we are fortunate, we trade youth for experience — strength for wisdom (one can hope!).
But we can also force exchanges or rely on them in unhealthy ways as a means of resolving life’s challenges.
The forced exchanges I have in mind are, for example, the way in which we drive our children to “grow up.” I am not thinking here of the necessary process of maturation. I have in mind the process of “Growing up too fast,” in which our children are introduced to the demands of adult life long before they are spiritually, emotionally, or intellectually prepared for them. The sexualization of childhood is a good example.
The unhealthy habit of exchange that I have in mind is the way in which we confuse changes in geography or relationships with solutions to our problems. To be sure, we can find ourselves in untenable jobs and destructive relationships. But some people resort to an endless cycle of exchange, avoiding the tough challenges of growth and maturation.
It is worth asking ourselves whether our life narrative is dominated or shaped by forced or unhealthy patterns of exchange.
Regarding exchanges my answer is “yes” it is worth asking ourselves about life narrative, e.g., children’s busy schedules. What time is left to play which is the most natural activity of all for little ones.