LOVE WORKS DAILY 05/11/07 - FOUR QUESTIONS: Part Two - Unselfishness

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May 11, 2007, 1:36:48 PM5/11/07
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LOVE WORKS DAILY 05/11/07 - FOUR QUESTIONS: Part Two - Unselfishness
 

May is here, and love is in the air...well, actually
Love is always in the air...if you just take the time
to stop and breathe some in!  Love to you!
 
 
INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT:
(Great Thoughts By History's Inspired Thinking Men and Women)
 
The proverb warns that 'You should not bite the hand
 that feeds you.' But maybe you should, if it prevents
 you from feeding yourself.
 
-Thomas Szasz
 
TIM's BLOG
(Random Thoughts and Tim's Daily World):
 
Good Morning and Happy Friday!  Happy Mother's Day a couple days
in advance to those who celebrate that day!  I know the
Hallmark card company thanks you!!! (Did I say that?)
 
This has been an odd week for me.  Really great in some
ways, and rather strange in others.
 
I have been really excited to see people contributing to
the list and hope that it will continue.  And happy to hear that
this makes a difference in some peoples lives.
 
 
 
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
(Brand New and Classic Love Works Essays 2001-2007)
 
Today I continue with a four part series based on the Oxford
Group's Four Absolutes.
 
Last time we looked at the first of their proposed
absolutes, Honesty.
 
Today...number two...unselfishness.
 
And the question associated with unselfishness ..
"How will this affect the other fellow?"
 
This concept combines two ideas to me...compassion
and mindfulness. 
 
But let's look at some of major points from the original text.
..It's by no means the complete text, nor are my comments in
any way exhaustive, or comprehensive.  Just a few thoughts...
as I continue to look at this fascinating set of statements....
 
"At first blush, unselfishness would seem to be the simplest
 of all to understand, define and accomplish."
 
I would think at first blush only indeed.  Understanding it
in and of itself is a major task.  Many think the doing of
good deeds for others is unselfish.  But many times we do
a good thing..not so much because we are unselfish or selfless,
but because either publicly or privately we seek to make
ourselves feel better.  "We are an UNSELFISH person..everyone!
See What We Do!"  It's like the old joke about being
the most humble person in town, and everyone knows it!
 
It's definition is equally elusive, and different from
person to person.  Most will feel that you must be
rather selfish in order to look out for yourself
and take care of yourself.  If you are a mess,  it's very
hard to take care of anyone else. 
 
And is being unselfish...taking care of others at all..or simple
NOT focusing entirely on oneself?
 
The idea of being unselfish is a very large and complex one.
I'm not going to pose any particular answers or insights on
it, because I frankly, like most people....have a very
difficult time accomplishing it.
 

"Our unselfishness must include not merely that we do
 for others, but that which we do for ourselves.
 
Just as I was saying, the paradox of being unSELFish, and at
the same time looking out for ones SELF.
 
They have to go hand in hand.  So I think what is being
proposed is NOT being COMPLETELY UNSELFISH...but being
LESS SELFISH....looking outside of yourself to see that
indeed we are NOT the center of the universe.  In fact,
our tiny little dot of importance in the whole scope of things
is frighteningly small when looked at from the outside.
 
"How do we put these two things together?
 
Well, for one thing, it points up that we shall gain
in direct proportion to the real help we give others."
 
The key word here for me is REAL. How much REAL help we give
others.  Sometimes being selfless and giving them money
and a home and a ride to town...is NOT giving any real help
to them. 
 
But the more real help that can be offered...and that can
be as little as simply listening and not judging....is returned
in similar quantities in the doing.
 
These Love Works, for example, are a huge help to me.  I am
offering them up to others in hopes that it is of some
sort of real help.....but ultimately it is ME that gets most
of the reward and benefit.  I have said many times that I
would be writing these even if no one was reading them.
I hope that would be true. 
 
"We must be unselfish even in our pursuits of
 self-preservation. Not the least of our aid to others
 comes from the examples of our own lives. "
 
One of the most unselfish acts I can think of.  Simply
be there.  Simply be an example in our thoughts, words and actions.
 
An amazing thing example is...you can tell a person something,
you can show them how to do it...but if they don't see YOU
doing it.  If it's not evident in YOUR life....what does it
mean?  Hypocrisy?  An expert that cannot do.....They know
how to....supposedly....They know how to tell you to do it....
supposedly....but they do not do it myself.
 
I'd really worry about this in my life if I thought I was
perfect.
 
I know, I mean really know, that much of what I write here
are things I try to do,  but by no means have a mastery of
it.
 
So if you see me, or hear me, and I'm talking all about ME
ME ME.....and being as selfish as a person can be....
 
You can say to me....Remember those essays you wrote about being unselfish..?
 
I'll say, yep, I remember them. 
 
But we can only do the best we can do at any particular moment.
 
And that's me....being human.
 
BUT...if we do take the time to stop....listen...think...
and then act...even some of the time...in an unselfish manner....
 
Things will be better for others...and better for us.
 
It's win-win......
 
Love is ....
 

 
 
Love In Thought! Love In Word! Love In Action!
 
Love To You Today!
 
 
 
"May we endeavor today to increase our understanding and appreciation of
what others have given and contributed to us. And develop constant,
mindful consideration of how our thoughts and actions will BENEFICIALLY
CONTRIBUTE to others"
 
The best to you today in discovering the answers to life's difficult
questions!
 
 
 
A Final Thought:
 
Love is always the right thing to do. Even if it isn't the easiest
thing to do.
 
May we have compassion for the struggles of others, wisdom to
acknowledge our own, and courage to address them both every day.
 
Respectfully,
Tim
 

This is a daily newsletter of LOVE WORKS DAILY:
A collective of individuals of different beliefs and
backgrounds, dedicated to a better world by living LOVE in thought,
word and action. Compassion. Wisdom. Courage.
 
 

Or read us on the web:
http://loveworks.ebloggy.com/
 
 
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Peace be with you.
 
(c)2007 T.Thomas Henry
 
 
 
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