What is it to be human? Is it about how much a person can collect as if we’re squirrels? How about living in a house so large that you yourself can’t imagine cleaning it? Sleeping with as many people that will share themselves with you? Experiencing love and extending love?
I believe we humans have experienced so many bad apples being rewarded that it’s hard to see the benefit of doing a good deed. That is until one of us needs something personal for ourselves or someone we care about. What if our lives were actual bank accounts of our deeds? The more you did/do for another is what will be poured into or eventually removed from your life. So be cautious of your account going out of balance by the abusive negligence of bragging about your personal advantages; especially when you know others may be or are penalized for the latter.
Chew on this, being good at math, architecture, medicine, law, or politics does not make you a better human being than those that do not possess said skills. If anything, it should mean you have more accountability to be responsible with said advantage. If a person is so insecure that they need to rub their successes or advantages in the faces of those less fortunate; then that person doesn’t deserve to have said advantages.
There’s mandatory Ethics classes across countless levels of schooling; yet they’re very seldomly adhered to. For instance, in the military and government, there are oaths you take stating, “I will not utilize my rank/position for privilege.” That is so far from the truth in many sectors. Look at your local hospital. Despite all the hurting needy people, the head of the hospital will get the best parking spot. Government officials that get elected to serve the people somehow turn around and call themselves Heroes or Honorable while taking the first cut of tax dollars and insider’s information to somehow quadruple their salaries. Judges ignore equality of the law and allow people who look like them or a person’s family title to slide past accountability.
I do not believe you have to donate everything you own to be considered good. Nor do I believe you need to live poorly. But how much is enough when it seems to come down to simple bragging rights. Doing the right thing does not mean jumping in front of a bullet or a car. Brace yourself here it comes, just saying, “Hey, that’s wrong, that’s rude, that’s not gentleman or lady like…” can go a long way to having a person rethink of personal accountability. How about doing something decent every day just because it’s the right thing to do. Giving a compliment without expecting a reward for it. Holding a door open for someone. Imagine that the person in front of you going through a trial is someone you care about in your circle.
Add one of these into your vocabulary: Thank you, Merci, Danke, Mahalo, Grazie, Gomawo, Dziekuje, Spasibo, Gracias, Tack, Dyakuyu, Shukraan… For those on a budget, it’s free to say as often as you like.
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In and Out of Darkness 
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