7 LESSONS LEARNT IN 2015. #3

THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS

I have always been of the opinion that every action a human being takes is motivated by his/her own selfishness. Even an act of kindness has selfishness behind it. For example, giving a handout to a beggar on the street is an act of kindness but it makes you feel good about yourself. You feel like you have played your part. This satisfies your ego/conscious therefore a selfish act. You’re doing it for yourself. Not for others.

I held on to that belief till last year when  the universe made me meet people who changed my perception completely. People who would help when I needed it, wanting nothing in return. People who had no obligation to be help me out but still did out of the kindness of their hearts. People with absolutely no agenda. People who knew that helping me out would advance me greatly and they would gain absolutely NOTHING from it but still went ahead and gave me the assistance I desperately needed anyway.

I’m talking of people who were sometimes complete strangers or acquaintances. They would give me emotional support, moral support even financial support and expect nothing in return. Not even a mention on this blog. In fact, I think they would be offended if they found out I was going around telling people of their kindness. Really. They are not interested in the credit. They don’t expect anything from you. They are just happy that they could contribute towards your happiness.

Everyday I work towards being this kind of person. Paying it forward, not expecting anything in return. It’s not selfish, it’s being human.

PHOTO: Mark Wijsman

PARTING SHOT

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