Today’s Just Be thought
This is on the value of doing a good thing just for the sake of doing the thing.
When we do something good for another person, either by accident or by choice, it’s best to stop thinking beyond that. We can reflect on how the impact helped another and can certainly consider ways we could have done it better. Certainly we should consider whether what we thought was good for another really was good or if it actually caused trouble down the line.
But expecting praise or thanks in return for doing good is not something to dwell upon. It’s certainly not something to get upset about if the praise never comes.
It’s certainly worthwhile to help another person, especially those we are guiding – like our kids – to be thankful to others and to show their gratitude. That will help them be welcome anywhere as they graciously value help that others have provided.
But in helping others, if we are put off by the lack of thankfulness shown, we miss the point of adding good into this world.
Doing a good deed is both the journey and the end. That’s the first thing. If another benefits, that’s great! That’s the second thing.
We enjoy life much more fully if we stop at the two things and never expect the third thing.
Here’s a short article on this