Give of yourself
Work in a soup kitchen. Plant some trees. Adopt a stray. Teach someone how to read. Visit someone who's alone. Protect someone in danger. Comfort someone in pain.
Remember that strength means nothing unless you use it to help those who are not strong.
The soul of the sword is benevolence. Stand up for truth, justice and mercy.
Be sure those muscles get plenty of exercise.
I'm happy to see this, and I 100% agree with what he's saying here.
However, one of my recent frustrations has been that we all too often emphasize the benefits we get from doing good for others - we talk about our own spiritual growth or learning self discipline. I agree with all that, and those are some of the reasons I'm involved with Socks and Gloves.
At the same time, the most important reason to help people is because they need help - it's really not about me at all. Even if I get nothing from it, I still think it's something I should do. If somebody goes out with S & G and doesn't enjoy it, doesn't feel like they learned anything, that's okay - the people we are helping still received help, and that's the most important reason for doing it.
I should point out that I strongly suspect that the more you focus on their needs and the less you focus on the benefits to yourself, the greater those benefits will be.
3 comments:
Good post Tyson. I really like the thoughts on fencing especially and then how you shoot off of that to really talk of the emphasis being on serving, whether we get something out of it or not. I think that if we are looking for affirmation or a boost to the ego or self-confidence, then we have misguided motives. We must keep the focus on giving and empowering others. And yes, I think you are right, when we do that, we just might get something out of it ourselves.
I remember being frustrated in a philosophy class in college because the professor talked about how altruism does not exist because there is always a benefit to the giver. It was akward to me to define altruism in such a way that mandated that altruism have no benefit to the giver.
I can picture giving and serving and loving for the sake of another perons - and purely for that person. Just because it feels good though (sometimes) does not mean that it is from a selfish motive. I just think that it so happens that serving and loving can sometimes have a great return.
Ryan
This post is so true. whenever I am at work and I focus on what the customer needs more than what is good for my wallet I always benefit from it more than if I took the other road.
m
I Love this post Tyson. Especially being a Mom of 3 kids that stays home and feels that give and give all the time, it makes me really think of why God has called me to socks and gloves in the first place. I know there are times when I get frustrated but I know in my heart of hearts this is not about me it is about what God has called me to! That is to live a life of love and compassion and see people for who they are, people! His creation not what society sees them for. I love going out and helping others for that sake alone, I do feel lately that my heart has been stale and your post really inspired me to put in prospective as to why we do this? To help others in need…. period end of story. Thanks Ty
Post a Comment