Needs Vs. Deeds

In an earlier column, I attempted to interpret ‘Greed versus Needs’. Moving on, let us hit upon the theme of Needs vs. Deeds! Is there any connection between the two? How does one influence the other? Let us examine the subject:

Please allow me to focus on those considerations. Let us talk about them one by one, so the need to find out a balance reaches its rightful position in our activities. A quick glimpse into the actions of our day will show its richness. Let us summarize where we succeeded beyond means and the cause/s of any shortcoming, where pertinent. What was beyond our power? How many positive impressions did we leave behind? Did we step on anybody’s toes to drive our individual ambitions?

Next, we examine our obligations to see if we met with them all. Was it a rewarding day? Can we feel honored that we lived up to the demands of the people that depend on us? Did we meet with the assumptions of our tour of duty, our job and the obligation assigned to it? What was our response today to the stranger begging for small help because he was in-between jobs? How did we respond to the old, lonely neighbor’s anticipation of a courtesy smile or a kind Hello? How wonderful was our interaction with our kith and kin? Did we save them from sharing our own challenges and problems of the day? Was our tension level well handled? How did we extend our help to an associate in a crisis?

I remain confident the foregoing sketch has pointed out the relationship between the two fundamental principles of a civilized society. We cannot reject the fact life revolves around giving and taking. Often we give higher priority to taking than giving based upon the common belief of ‘what is in it for me?’ We defend our rights but lose sight of the duties. Doing good deeds is one of them!

Sometimes, we end up taking short cuts to satisfy our urgent needs. We pledge ourselves to revisit the scene and remedy it at once, but disregard the same within no time. This is one shining instance of needs overtaking deeds. I hesitate to accept it and remain confident you will likewise fit in with me.

Reflecting on the day offers us direction for a healthier tomorrow. It helps us identify our frailties. Our good acts of this day help us concentrate on picking up the lead further. What worked well should stimulate us to give out praise to the contributors that stood by. Such a measure of gratitude builds bridges in connections, both at home and work. The two most significant concepts of good behavior are ‘Thank You’ and ‘Sorry!’ Such words show our modesty. Saying ‘sorry’ manifests remorse, and that helps us avoid duplication of mistakes on another occasion. ‘Thank You’ shows appreciation so the other human being looks forward to offering help another time.

Reflecting on lost chances and enhanced performance helps remove errors. It paves the path to recurring ideal operation. One of the most precious privileges of noble deeds is the image we leave behind. Better our impressions, greater will be the standard of deserved admiration and broader the group of well-wishers.

Exerting undue influence or treading on others’ toes creates conflict and eventual collapse. No parent, teacher, coach, or guide can ever pardon such an attitude under any conditions. Staying away from such unacceptable deeds contributes to our greatest advantage. Keep the foregoing in mind and watch goodness flow.

Good deeds reinforce our destiny. They create energy for advancement. When we spread enough goodness around, parts will doubtless adhere to us. More we give the more we shall gain!

Meeting needs is one of our most significant responsibilities. It is not only personal wants but also involves our family members, friends, and associates, job, business, and/or occupation. They all play an important part in what we do, why, and how. Such analysis of the day just passed helps us understand our obligations. It sustains us grow more considerate to others’ expectations so we could set our preferences in a more useful and/or dynamic order.

One of the quintessential principles of everyday existence is to recognize duties discharged without constraint. It does not always need any out-of-pocket cost to meet with somebody else’s necessity. Offering a close friend or colleague moral encouragement by sharing his/her pain/problem/test or trouble in a supportive fashion can, and does, produce an enormous influence. If only we helped enough individuals in their hour of need, we can count on support from others whenever needed.

Another notable subject we must never forget about life is its unpredictability. Misfortune does not give early warning and can befall anybody. Helping a stranger in the time of necessity is a quality we now recognize as ‘Paying It Forward.’ There must be a valid reason this trend has picked up pace everywhere!

Respecting others’ needs helps us meet those of our own in a more elegant fashion. Sharing smiles with those that want them the most, serving the destitute and offering unconditional help where public welfare makes the call remain primary duties of humankind. Let us determine to make them an indispensable part of our personal needs. It will serve as the catalytic agent to our individual spiritual harmony and sustain us do better in different spheres of life!

A remarkable lesson I picked up at an early stage in my career:

Q. What is the longest word in the English language? A. ‘S M I L E S’

Q. Can you prove it? A. Yes, without a doubt: The first and the last letter stand MILE apart!

Smiles are contagious, scatter them around and pick up the rewards…

Try It, Who Knows You Might Like It!