meitheals

 meitheals is a great celtic concept for reciprocity.  but not in a tit for tat sense, rather so much deeper.  it is graciously laboring to support your neighbor knowing your neighbor will also come to help you in time of need.  

the example given in the book i was reading is that of sheep-dipping.  

when it came time for all the sheep on the hillsides of ireland to be given their anti-pest dip, each farmer would round up the ones closest to them, not worrying about specific ownership.  they knew that each neighbor would do the same, thus effectively dipping all the sheep.  

i wonder how we might try this in our current neighborhoods?