Do You Think Of Others First
Posted: Wednesday, March 24, 2010
by Susan Thom
We all need to think about what's best for us, but what about what's best for others? Do we ever think about that? While parking in a spot on the street, do we make sure the other person can get out? Are we actually thoughtful enough to do so? Do we ever let someone go in front of us in line when they only have a few things, and we have a cart full? Do we hold the door open for the next person? Do we smile and say hi to the women and men who greet us at Wal-Mart? Maybe one's smile can lift the spirits of that person.
I think so much of the world's strife could be minimized if only we thought about others first. Do we wake up early to prepare a nice breakfast for our son or daughter's birthday because we are thinking about them, and we want to show we care? Do we bring a nice cold drink out to our husband or wife who is cutting the lawn? Do we cut some of our flowers and bring them to the elderly neighbor who is constantly sitting in her living room, looking out to see if anything more interesting is happening outside her home?
Do we help our friend tear off an old roof, and put on a new one? Are we extending ourselves to put positive energy into the air? Before we yell in anger, and say things we don't mean, do we think of how the other person will feel, going through our wrath? We calm down, but our insults and negativity last longer for the person that was targeted. Do we take the time to donate clothes and food to the needy, or figure it's easier to just throw them away?
Our mindset needs to be that of helping others, as we would like to be helped. Treat others the way we want to be treated. Our kindness may not always be reciprocated, but that shouldn't matter. It is our journey we are trying to improve. Such little ways of adding goodness and warmth, to a sometimes very cruel and negative world we live in. If we give our word to another, will we take their feelings into consideration and keep that word? Is it all about us, or can we realize that when dealing with others, there needs to be some sort of give and take.
Nobody really thinks exactly alike, so the cards need to be put on the table, situations worked out, and a compromise reached, and adhered to. If we don't mind living in a hateful society, or right in our own home, we don't need to do a thing. If we want to honestly make the world a better place, at least in any way we can, we have to think of others as well as ourselves. Chances are, we are not hermits in a little bungalow in the woods.
As nice as that sounds, most of us deal with people on a daily basis. Our mind thinks and tells us what to do, and any outcome will work out better if all concerned are addressed. If one is having a dinner party, and 3 of the quests are allergic to shellfish, would you then serve lobster? Or would you think about others and prepare another dish? Thinking about others simply makes the world a better place to live in, and allows people to be their best.
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Very true Susan, that's what I've always preached "doing things for our fellow man and not the money." One of my quotes "Freedom is to serve"Please log in to respond to this comment.hi david,i know that concept from my mom, and then the program.if we could all help each other, life would be more enjoyable.thanks for reading and commenting,my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Nice article, Susan. There are two ways to help others - 1. Knowing that we are helping and being proud of our helping attitude, which in a weird way substantiates ego (I'm a great person!). And 2. Not even realizing that we are helping, as if its just a natural way to live. This second way is when the ego or self is reduced or dissolved and entirely out of the way. Then we only notice the needs of others.
Best.....ePlease log in to respond to this comment.hi e,cool.helping others has always been my nature, and i've learned again, in the program, to take myself out of it, and do things for people naturally.thanks for reading and commenting,my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
A deep and relevant piece, Susan.However, don't forget to "sing in the sunshine" and " laugh every day."Please log in to respond to this comment.hi ken-good hints.i hope all is well.thanks for reading and commenting,my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Wow! This article is simple and profound. This is an amazing piece of literature.Please log in to respond to this comment.i'm speechless, but thank you.and thanks for leaving a comment,my best regards,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Very nicely done. I try to remember the old Arab proverb 'If you are but a servant, you will reap riches for your service . . . as long as you can serve', which basically says we should always put others first in situations where it will not harm us. For example, if I need one glass of water and have ten glasses of water, I'll let the neighbor have nine glasses without question.Politeness and civility are the key, and you've hit the nail on the head. Thanks for sharing this.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi michael,i appreciate you reading and responding.it doesn't take much to smile or hold a door or let someone out in traffic.and the positive energy spreads across the land, and it comes through we, the people.your welcome for me sharing, my pleasure,my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
If we can remember that all of life is about serving God it will help to keep the ego at bay. Great article Susan.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi linda,thank you and thanks for reading and commenting.i, too, believe if we serve God we will live a more peaceful life.my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Good article as are all your articles!Please log in to respond to this comment.hi steve,for some reason, the creator wished for me to be a thinker, and a writer, and that's what i am. i appreciate you reading and responding, and for the compliment, which is now part of my positive energy:)my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
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