The Emperor and the Nightingale is a well-known story that has surpassed time and cultures. The story talks about many different traits both positive and negative. Two very opposite traits mentioned in the story were selfishness and gratitude.
Many years ago, I haven't seen beggars roaming around the city asking for alms. For the past years, they had become permanent fixtures of the streets and over pass bridges. I have seen them in various conditions and in many forms- people with disabilities, children in tattered clothes, women with their babies, the blind with musical instruments and old folks playing harmonica or drums. Some people stopped to share while most of us just walk pass them without giving them our time.
It is not an act of selfishness if we show hesitation to give or by simply ignoring these people. It is also not an act of kindness if we share an ample amount of money or buy them some food. It is not a pay-it-forward thing if we do them good for the sake of being bless. I find the act of sharing and the act of giving more valuable if we teach them to stop from asking and/or begging. I find it more selfless if we take time to give them opportunities to stand on their own rather than wait for blessings to come.
Yes, the need is there at that moment and they are asking for immediate help. But doing this everyday does not give justice to the notion of helping oneself. It becomes a habit of relying on others for support, of being lazy, and of being dependent.
When I am lost in my understanding of a lesson during my school days, giving me the answers during test time or letting me copy homework does not give value to my learning. I would be more grateful if someone shares his or her time to explain to me the lessons. When I am needing of extra money, asking from friends for help does not guarantee a bailout from my present need, I needed someone positively recommend me a way to earn some.
Those who needed assistance should seek the help and support of government agencies. Those who are going to experience a need to supplement their incomes should think of ingenious ways to earn more. Those who are lost with the rudiments of their jobs or schooling should seek assistance from someone knowledgeable or from other available resources. It is in doing it first that we see better opportunites. It is in making it happen through our efforts that makes it more worthwhile.
Selfishness is when we ask and ask without helping ourselves. Gratitude is when we realize we made a life through our own efforts and being thankful for the blessings.
As they say, give them fish and they still will go hungry, teach them how to fish and they will never go hungry again.
ReplyDeleteBut its really sad how in most places we get to see beggars. how people blame it on the government, where in fact each individual can actually do something to eleviate each own's status in life.
In anycase, nice post. I tagged you btw.
Happy holidays!