Thoughtfulness is a factor of doing the unnecessary.
Always do the unnecessary act of kindness
This is a take on the previous one for the city boys.
Life is a bank account. How much you can draw out depends on what you put in. You put it in when you don’t need it. So that you can draw it out when you do. For those who still don’t get it: if you want people to help you when you need help, help them when they need help.
Most people don’t take the trouble to make a phone call or write an email or drop a card to someone who they don’t need at that moment; but that is when it is most appreciated. That person also knows that they are not influential, wealthy, or otherwise wanted or greatly needed and that is precisely why when they receive that call, they appreciate it. You may be thinking, ‘Well, if they are really so uninfluential, why does it matter whether they appreciate or not?’ One reason only: It is about you, not about them. Our attitudes are our own. And they decide how we fare in life. So take the trouble to connect with people by being thoughtful.
Remember also that others watch what you do and they see you doing thoughtful things and that influences their impression of you. There will always be critics, no matter what you do. Don’t worry about them. Don’t worry about the supporters either. Worry only about yourself and the One who knows what you do and why you do it. The rest will take care of themselves.
I say that life is banking because like banking, the level of your overdraft depends on your deposits and account history. People who don’t deposit or are constantly overdrawn or don’t repay loans are not considered good risks. So also in life. You must earn goodwill – the deposits. You must repay debts – repaying of loans and be thoughtful and helpful – sometimes, simply by being in touch and asking about someone’s welfare; a day will surely come when you will need someone else’s act of kindness.
It is amazing how the world is round not only geographically, but in terms of life itself. What you do tends to come back to you, not necessarily in the same place or from the same people, but it comes back nevertheless. So be sure you send out stuff that you wouldn’t mind receiving. Good begets good and evil begets evil. The truly shortsighted are those who sacrifice long term for short term; a policy that is as disastrous in Working Capital Management as it is in life.
Do insane acts of kindness; unnecessary acts of thoughtfulness. It is only the ‘unnecessary’ that is remembered. Don’t believe all that people say; you are neither as cute as they think nor as bad. And what they tell you depends on what happened most recently between you and them. People have short memories so look in the mirror often.
Beautifully reflective article ! Truly makes us pause and wonder – are we really leading a meaningful life ? Are we being kind and thoughtful enough for others ? Thank you Mr. Baig for imparting such a valuable lesson on life !