Am I positive labelling by writing that most that read this blog want to be better?. Be that better at their jobs, better parents or just better people. I think this is a safe space for us to confront the darker sides of our nature.
In all of us there lives an urge, for hearing thanks or seeing gratitude in another’s eyes. Let’s look at some of these examples:
- Your boss asks you to run an important project and you delivered; Are you only doing it to be thanked by him or because you are proud of your work and the value it is doing
- You gave money to charity and you clicked the box that said you wanted to leave your name and email on the donation; Why is this necessary, isn’t the knowledge of doing good enough?
- You leave a big tip for what you believe is a waiter at a restaurant; Did you need to wait to hear them say thank you or react to the generosity of your gift?
It is human nature to seek that thanks, but we don’t need it. It is fleeting emotional sugar. It is far more benevolent to do it silently. To do the work because it is difficult and that is what we are put here on this earth to do.
I am not saying our feelings are evil, I am saying that it is devaluing our endeavours and debasing our efforts. If I was to boil it down it would be “Do good for the right reasons and not for thanks”
Hearty handshakes from me to you.
Sea's The Day 