Who are you really helping?

Volunteerism - The willingness of people to work on behalf of others without being motivated by financial or material gain.

Selfless - Exhibiting or motivated by no concern for ones self.

A picture
A blind man in his 50's, father to a son almost rendered useless by his autism, husband to a nearly crippled woman, wakes up early everyday to think of things on how to bring food to their plates. Often times, he offers his services to his neighbors, carrying two big water containers in his aged-strained shoulders and hiking almost 2 kilometers to fetch water in the nearby river. Barefooted, he treks his way through grass, mud, sharp and slippery rocks and, on the better days, the heat of the sun burning through his week old clothes. Taking almost the whole day with the sun still up, gathers only an amount not even close to what we spend for a pack of cigarettes or a one way ride to work.

A little girl, closely watching the poor old man try to bring food to his family knock on their door. Wishing to herself, despite of their own situation, that she could give more than what she has on her left hand. Opening the door every single time, a gush of pure sympathy laminating itself to her core makes her teary eyed. The biggest question on her mind, how will I be able to help? Help more!

How else would she, in her position, HELP?

Given an opportunity, she calls up a television program geared to help people with the most touching stories. What does she do? She asks people from the program, without a doubt in heart, to help her neighbor. A wish that, by a stroke of luck, came true for her neighbor.

A thought
Why did she help? Why didn't she, given that opportunity, just ignore the existence of her neighbor and went ahead making up an even sadder story?

Are you really helping others selflessly? Do you do it for the sole purpose of just helping others? Just them, not you? Other people would say that kind of exhibition of generosity comes from selfless reasons.

"I help because I want to help…"
"I help because I'm happier when I see other people happy…"
"I help because I need to help…"
"I help because I had a calling…"
"I help because they need my help…"
"I help because It's for them, not for me…"
"I help because…"

Not putting phrases similar to "… cause I will benefit by…" in any part of the sentences.

I don't think so. Not the whole of it anyway.

A Reason
In mulling over doing or purchasing something, what will your thought process be?
You look carefully, see if it is worth it.
Will it benefit me?
Will it look good on me?
Will it complicate my life and cause problems in the future?

After versions and versions of related questions, what ultimate question needs answering… By my own understanding and standard, will I be happy?

You need to be at ease with helping people, before you go on and help people. And being at ease with helping people, means that you are happy with it, whole heartedly. Satisfying your need to be happy, is actually having the self in selfless without the less.

An action needs conviction woven tightly inside ones heart before it can be beautifully executed. What do I mean? You become selfish in the very first step of becoming selfless. You are actually helping yourself by helping others, you just don't realize it.

Reciprocating
On the picture, who will have the life long benefit from the experience? The little girl, in my opinion. Humility, compassion, generosity, selflessness, and many more, lessons in life taking almost a lifetime to learn. through one decision made, she has helped herself without even knowing it.


Again, you help yourself by helping others.