But exchanging pebs isn’t about bartering. It’s about benefit. You are a part of the community, and the farmer doing something for you means that they are, effectively, doing something for the group.

Welcome comfort, they reminded themself, rubbing the little pectin-printed bear with their thumb. Without it, you cannot stay strong.

“I always enjoy your company, Sibling Dex,” it said. “But what I want most for you is for you to address your own needs.”

“If you have everything you need around you,” Dex said, “there’s no reason to leave. It takes a lot of time and effort to go someplace else.”

You don’t have to have a reason to be tired. You don’t have to earn rest or comfort. You’re allowed to just be. I say that wherever I go.”

Those things remind us to stop getting lost in everyday bullshit. We have to take a sec to tap into the bigger picture.

“But that’s the point of a shrine, or an idol, or a festival. The gods don’t care.

exchange is what you get out of any interaction, even the smallest ones. Everything has a give-and-take.”

Building a canvas for others to explore themselves on was rather the point of monastic service, after all.