In response to my previous post, "Something's wrong here," I had a friend of mine reminding me that there is no such thing as absolute good or bad, that it's only relative. True. Like she said, you'll be able to recognize good only if you know that there is something that's bad. Success is indeed sweeter for those who have never tasted it. Wimbledon may or may not be the greatest of the Slams in tennis, but ask one Mr. Ivan Lendl and he'll tell you why it's the most important tournament to any tennis player. Okay, I got carried away with that last line, but well, you get the idea now, don't you? :-)
The same friend also asked me, "why do you want to be good to others?" My answer to this would be, "It's convenient." Honestly! Being good to others is helpful because you're planting seeds of helpfulness in them, at least towards you. For all the ingrates there are, there is still something to be said for gratitude in today's world. And this can make our life move that much more smoothly. Spiritually, being good to others perhaps increases one's reserve of good karma, but I am not too sure if it really adds much to one's progress on the spiritual path.
One caveat though: Being good simply because it makes things go smoother for you is fine; but do make sure that you want to do whatever you do in the name of goodness. Because doing something sincerely does make a difference - to yourself and others.
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I've always found it difficult to be grateful to someone who has done a kind deed angrily. Like doing the dishes but cursing and swearing under their breath the while time. Ruins the good deed.
ReplyDelete"...doing something sincerely does make a difference - to yourself and others. "
Absolutely agree with you there! In fact, I remember an argument with a friend who did a good deed but whose primary intention was not that. In fact, a personal gain was his intention and the good deed was incidental! Makes me wonder about human goodness...
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