[quote]It’s not what you’ve received, but what you’ve given.[/quote] 
The biggest thing i used to always struggle to understand about life is why good people seemed to suffer and why bad people seemed to have all the things they could ever wish for.
The nice cars, the flash houses, the status and the admiration from acquaintances.
It was far too easy to look at and become judgmental and always brought a spur of bitterness which couldn’t be avoided. Yet the more i started to see it, the more i was avoiding the reality of why things are the way they are.
I read a great article this afternoon that explains this concept in detail and really helped cement this in my mind and made more sense.
The world simply doesn’t care.
The world is non judgmental, it doesn’t care whether you’re good or bad, whether you’ve been a loyal citizen or paid your taxes on time. It also doesn’t care that you’re successful or have a million dollars in the bank.
So what really matters?
Having understood this, it made me understand that the world doesn’t owe us anything and that all that matters is what we’re able to bring to the world. It’s perhaps the best proposition we can ever receive as it allows us to run our lives however way we want, so long as it provides value to the world.
Most of us will complain when we’re feeling bad or on a low and quickly start blaming the things around us as to why we’re where we are.
We are the sum total of our values and skills
If there’s something not quite right in your life, then it’s likely not your environment that’s the issue, but your skills and values. The environment doesn’t care. We’re in a world with needs and wants. So the question really isn’t what you can receive from the world, but what you are able to give.
Why this is important to understand
There are 2 reasons why i think you should embrace this concept:
1) It helps reduce consumerism
The things we buy and consume aren’t whats important, but the things we can give in value. Whether it’s a service, a product or a skill trade. It is our responsibility to provide and help others which will in turn improve the world.
2) It helps improve happiness and self-confidence
We are by nature, social animals and want to be a part of society. The feeling of giving something of value will always give back in dividends that will always be worth far more than money. It will build character, self-esteem and a sense of worth which can never be replaced.
So the next time you’re on a low, complaining about how unfair life is. Always ask yourself ‘what can i do and give to the world in value to help improve my circumstances’.
We’ve all been given an opportunity to shine and contribute to the world in some way.
What have you given to the world today?
photo credit: angrylambie1
