The Selfish Act of Selflessness....
How to shamelessly and conscience free behave shelfish, and still win friends and influence people...
I have often been the recipient of someone’s selfless act pointed in my direction. I am sure you can identify with me how fantastic it makes the heart feel. The one which sticks out the most in my mind was when I was just shy of 18 years old. I was waiting for my flight at the Edmonton International Airport, heading up north to the Canadian Arctic where I lived at that time. It also was where my fridge and my bed were. Two most important objects at that moment. Ones I had been in need of for at least 24 hours, waiting in this terminal, flat broke.
I was dropped off a day early for my flight by a relative who was continuing on into the next province... I had a very heavy heart at that moment, having come from my mother’s funeral in a small town 4 hours away. I remember I just wanted everything to be over with...to just go home... raid the fridge and go to sleep. It had been a long week and needless to say, I was not particularly in a good mood. So I found myself a quiet and desolate area of the airport where I selfishly took out an entire bench to camp out on and let the hands of time pass.
It was there that “he” came. I can’t tell you his name, or even what he looked like.... only that he was a black man, very large in stature and wearing a suit. To me he was a stranger who was invading my space. And though he was not welcomed, he sat beside me in silence anyway... then after a while he got up in silence and a few moments later reappeared with a tray of breakfast for two. And in silence he handed me a coffee, english muffin and an orange. I was dumbfounded. I thanked him, he nodded and continuing in our silence we broke bread together.
I all actuallty the only thing I remember this man saying to me was when “Well I have to catch my plane.” That was it! I thanked him again for his kindness as I watched him walk away... but then he suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned. “Remember this one thing young lady,” he said, “ no matter what ever happens in your life - don’t you ever worry, you are going to do well. You are going to be just fine” And with that he walked away. Never saw him again!
Yet those few words made all the difference in the world. It was like a light turned on. For some reason I felt empowered by them, as if I had someone in the world that had faith in me and it was impeccable timing since I felt so lost and alone at that moment. My whole attitude turned around. It was then that I recognized the value of ”paying forward.” And it was at that moment that I began practising the act myself. Now hold on, before you go off tooting my horn and giving praises, understand this: it soon became a selfish act on my part.
Once I started being unselfish myself, I soon recognized the perks that such activity offered, which kind of motivated me to continue further in my selfish ways of selflessness. Most acts of putting forth more positive energy into this world are a very inexpensive form of practicing what goes around.... (and here’s the catch.)... comes around! Ultimately it is the sender that gets back sevenfold. A that's a pretty fine investment if you ask me.
From a simple smile to maybe an extra can bought at the grocery store and kicked into the food bank bin. The ways to pay forward unselflessly are numerous. It is just a matter of recognizing in your movements about in any given day the needs of others. You will find in time, once you have this as a habit in your daily life, that needs seem to jump out at you. You have become open and aware to those around you , and share the world with. Secondly, once a need is recognized, and you determine you are indeed in a position to help, then STOP, and by all means do so.. Countless very good people pass by incidents that they could display their goodness because they are caught up in the hustle and bustle of day to day.
A lot of us move about our world in a hurry, looking at something in passing and wishing they could have helped. “...Man I should have stopped for that person with the hood up on their car...“ A lot of us leave it for the next person to come along. “...Oh well someone else with a little more time will...“ Learn the new habit of stopping. The time costs are far outweighed by the benefits you receive in making an impact in another person’s life. (But please always keep your own safety in mind though. Be careful not to over reach.)
In all reality how hard is it to recognize the cashier before you is stressed and tired? Do something to make that brief momentary encounter with them stress free and refreshing... It doesn’t have to be a big thing. It can just seem that way depending on whom you do it for. It can be something as simple as a smile.
You have had random acts of kindness pointed in your direction. Recognize that the same gift you received... the warm feeling of belonging and a load lightened can be the same gifts you can extend to someone else. And in extending you again receive.... What goes around comes around.
First and foremost you will find that you will be raking in a great sense of interconnectedness with the world around you. A feeling of being in sync and belonging. With a new found perspective from open eyes a common side effect will be a vivid and more colourful view of the world and people around you. Because you see more to appreciate, you will find it easier to count your blessings and feel better about yourself, the world and the issues that can affect us all.
Contributing positive into the world empowers and gives a sense of being in control. Expecting nothing back for it completely eliminates the disappointments of waiting for the “come around.” Hopefulness replaces mindlessness. The human race replaces the rat race. You smile more and this all translates into physical well being. You sleep better and you feel empowered. Your stresses lessen. And we all can say an amen to that!
The way I see it we have only two options when it comes to our impact on our world. We can either choose to be a positive force, putting in when ever we can , for the betterment of us all and if the world falls flat on its face, we have no regrets about our role in it. Or we can withhold extending ourselves and in refusing to notice or be a part of the vibrant energy that humanity offers we can find ourselves running with our fears and embracing narrow sightedness, shallow, or selfish desires. All very destructive and unhealthy attitudes and energy to hold onto. And quite potentially a lonely state to be in.
Choose to build and not destroy. No doubt we all have days when we are hard pressed to make a conscious effort to impact others in positive ways, circumstances often bite, but this is when your investment pays it’s dividends. Because your paid forward and these efforts are contagious; the smile you pasted on someone’s face yesterday is theirs to willingly and gladly return to you today. Now that’s simply selfishly selfless!
How to shamelessly and conscience free behave shelfish, and still win friends and influence people...
I have often been the recipient of someone’s selfless act pointed in my direction. I am sure you can identify with me how fantastic it makes the heart feel. The one which sticks out the most in my mind was when I was just shy of 18 years old. I was waiting for my flight at the Edmonton International Airport, heading up north to the Canadian Arctic where I lived at that time. It also was where my fridge and my bed were. Two most important objects at that moment. Ones I had been in need of for at least 24 hours, waiting in this terminal, flat broke.
I was dropped off a day early for my flight by a relative who was continuing on into the next province... I had a very heavy heart at that moment, having come from my mother’s funeral in a small town 4 hours away. I remember I just wanted everything to be over with...to just go home... raid the fridge and go to sleep. It had been a long week and needless to say, I was not particularly in a good mood. So I found myself a quiet and desolate area of the airport where I selfishly took out an entire bench to camp out on and let the hands of time pass.
It was there that “he” came. I can’t tell you his name, or even what he looked like.... only that he was a black man, very large in stature and wearing a suit. To me he was a stranger who was invading my space. And though he was not welcomed, he sat beside me in silence anyway... then after a while he got up in silence and a few moments later reappeared with a tray of breakfast for two. And in silence he handed me a coffee, english muffin and an orange. I was dumbfounded. I thanked him, he nodded and continuing in our silence we broke bread together.
I all actuallty the only thing I remember this man saying to me was when “Well I have to catch my plane.” That was it! I thanked him again for his kindness as I watched him walk away... but then he suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned. “Remember this one thing young lady,” he said, “ no matter what ever happens in your life - don’t you ever worry, you are going to do well. You are going to be just fine” And with that he walked away. Never saw him again!
Yet those few words made all the difference in the world. It was like a light turned on. For some reason I felt empowered by them, as if I had someone in the world that had faith in me and it was impeccable timing since I felt so lost and alone at that moment. My whole attitude turned around. It was then that I recognized the value of ”paying forward.” And it was at that moment that I began practising the act myself. Now hold on, before you go off tooting my horn and giving praises, understand this: it soon became a selfish act on my part.
Once I started being unselfish myself, I soon recognized the perks that such activity offered, which kind of motivated me to continue further in my selfish ways of selflessness. Most acts of putting forth more positive energy into this world are a very inexpensive form of practicing what goes around.... (and here’s the catch.)... comes around! Ultimately it is the sender that gets back sevenfold. A that's a pretty fine investment if you ask me.
From a simple smile to maybe an extra can bought at the grocery store and kicked into the food bank bin. The ways to pay forward unselflessly are numerous. It is just a matter of recognizing in your movements about in any given day the needs of others. You will find in time, once you have this as a habit in your daily life, that needs seem to jump out at you. You have become open and aware to those around you , and share the world with. Secondly, once a need is recognized, and you determine you are indeed in a position to help, then STOP, and by all means do so.. Countless very good people pass by incidents that they could display their goodness because they are caught up in the hustle and bustle of day to day.
A lot of us move about our world in a hurry, looking at something in passing and wishing they could have helped. “...Man I should have stopped for that person with the hood up on their car...“ A lot of us leave it for the next person to come along. “...Oh well someone else with a little more time will...“ Learn the new habit of stopping. The time costs are far outweighed by the benefits you receive in making an impact in another person’s life. (But please always keep your own safety in mind though. Be careful not to over reach.)
In all reality how hard is it to recognize the cashier before you is stressed and tired? Do something to make that brief momentary encounter with them stress free and refreshing... It doesn’t have to be a big thing. It can just seem that way depending on whom you do it for. It can be something as simple as a smile.
You have had random acts of kindness pointed in your direction. Recognize that the same gift you received... the warm feeling of belonging and a load lightened can be the same gifts you can extend to someone else. And in extending you again receive.... What goes around comes around.
First and foremost you will find that you will be raking in a great sense of interconnectedness with the world around you. A feeling of being in sync and belonging. With a new found perspective from open eyes a common side effect will be a vivid and more colourful view of the world and people around you. Because you see more to appreciate, you will find it easier to count your blessings and feel better about yourself, the world and the issues that can affect us all.
Contributing positive into the world empowers and gives a sense of being in control. Expecting nothing back for it completely eliminates the disappointments of waiting for the “come around.” Hopefulness replaces mindlessness. The human race replaces the rat race. You smile more and this all translates into physical well being. You sleep better and you feel empowered. Your stresses lessen. And we all can say an amen to that!
The way I see it we have only two options when it comes to our impact on our world. We can either choose to be a positive force, putting in when ever we can , for the betterment of us all and if the world falls flat on its face, we have no regrets about our role in it. Or we can withhold extending ourselves and in refusing to notice or be a part of the vibrant energy that humanity offers we can find ourselves running with our fears and embracing narrow sightedness, shallow, or selfish desires. All very destructive and unhealthy attitudes and energy to hold onto. And quite potentially a lonely state to be in.
Choose to build and not destroy. No doubt we all have days when we are hard pressed to make a conscious effort to impact others in positive ways, circumstances often bite, but this is when your investment pays it’s dividends. Because your paid forward and these efforts are contagious; the smile you pasted on someone’s face yesterday is theirs to willingly and gladly return to you today. Now that’s simply selfishly selfless!
