Something For Nothing

Like Mother Teresa, there are countless people who have spent their lives with a dream to make the burden of others as light as possible.

However, we are reminded that Nature wants us to be selfish instead. The idea is to make sure you are surviving and thriving before you can think of helping others. When you are travelling on a plane, you will be reminded to save yourself before you can move to action to save your baby for example. This is a reminder you get every time you board a plane.

Mother Teresa thinking was quite different: help others with unconditional love.

It was reported that one day, she found a hungry kid on the street, grabbed his hand and took him to a grocery store. The store owner was inside. Then she asked him for some food for the kid. The store owner was very upset because she was not buying anything. She was not bringing in any money. Not just upset. He became more aggressive, more abusive towards the innocent visitors. He spat in Mother Teresa’s face.

In normal circumstances, there would be some king of complaint whether in words or actions. You know exactly how you react when you feel offended. You may shout, cry, or even attack physically the aggressor. Mother Teresa did not show any of these behaviors. She gently wiped her face and repeated her request with a smile. May I please get a fruit for this hungry child? The store owner was suddenly surprised. He rushed to the shelf and grabbed enough food for the kid.

One of the most honored virtues of all time is selfless service to others. The blessedness of giving rather than receiving is one of the most popular and most quoted verses in the Bible. You may also remember the famous quote” it is in giving that we receive.”

The challenge has always been to convince most people that selfless love does indeed exist. In other words, is it possible to give to others without expecting anything in return? If you give food to a homeless person for example, you are not expecting anything in return but someone may argue that the feeling o accomplishment, the state of joy and happiness these actions bring into your heart should also be evaluated in terms of money or reward. This is also the case for visiting and comforting the sick. A soldier who gives his/her life in the line of duty will never hear our “thank you”. I consider this action selfless as well.

Personally, I truly believe that there is a force within everyone of us that propels us to give value to others without thinking about ourselves. Another example that just came into my mind is this man jumping on the railways to save a kid when the train is a few meters away. You heard many stories about people who drowned themselves while attempting to save strangers from drowning.

Selflessness does exist at various levels. You may help another person or community anywhere you choose but you may give yourself a deadline. Maybe you decide to give away a certain amount of money or a limited service. Someone else may dedicate his/her entire life to such causes, thus consenting huge sacrifices.

I traveled  many countries and every time I visit a new country I find a way to help at least one person in need. The idea is that the person is visibly in need and will never be asked to present himself or herself to me. I don’t want them to know my name and me to know their name. Every time I come across that targeted person, he/she will receive a gift from me.

To be more specific, if you are selling clothes on the street. I would come and ask for the price of the shirt. I pay the money but I ask you to keep the shirt for me. The next day I come and purchase a second shirt or something else from your store. I beg you to keep it for me. When I am about to leave the country, I come to give you my goodbye gift and explain that you can keep everything for yourself. There are questions like, who are you? Why do you do this? I would just apologize and walk away to never be seen again.

I feel I have made a difference in that person’s life and this feels my heart with joy. Now, you may argue that this act of kindness in not selfless because it brings me joy. I can help you defend your argument here. There was this lady who many years ago, was travelling from the USA to Asia through Canada. I never knew her name because she did not allow me to. I was just arriving in the country for the first time and had no money.

She came closer to me and started a conversation. Something told her that I needed help. When I told her that I was new to the country, she gave me some money. Not too much but what she gave was all she could afford. She advised me to accept any job in the city until I can stand on my own feet. I asked for her name but she refused to give it to me. Before she left, she said to me: my son, if you think I have done something good for you, pay it forward. I kept passing on this act of kindness and it will continue if I have the means.

I understand that those who care for others with all their hearts need assistance as well to continue their mission especially when it is a life-long one. I hope that all the people who get selfless help could be grateful every day and extend those acts of kindness to their neighbors from generations to generations and make the world a better place for everyone to live.