I felt as though I had done something of value. Give and take is required. Notice that the same doesn't hold true when we take if we take, we have to give away at the same rate that we are taking or we risk clogging ourselves up. When we do it right, the mill wheels of our lives turn. Complete sacrifice is stupid our lives dry up.
Hoarding is also stupid our lives become stagnant.
Participation is the key, I think.