The Best: Making It, Not Just Receiving It

The idea of “The Best” is often misunderstood. Many people equate it with receiving the finest—a perfect family, an ideal team, a fine work, a flawless society, or abundant opportunities. But the truth is, the best is not something handed to us; it’s something we actively create. If we cannot contribute to making our relationships, organizations, and communities better, we don’t truly deserve the best from them.

The Eastern Perspective: Dharma and Responsibility

Eastern philosophies emphasize personal responsibility in creating harmony and excellence. In Hinduism, for instance, the concept of Dharma revolves around fulfilling one’s duty toward family, society, and the world. A person achieves greatness by contributing selflessly, not by demanding rewards. Consider the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna advises Arjuna to focus on righteous action without attachment to the outcome. This teaches that "making the best" begins with individual effort and accountability.

Similarly, Confucianism emphasizes Ren (benevolence) and Li (proper conduct), which encourage individuals to cultivate virtuous behavior and contribute to social harmony. In this context, if you wish to have a caring family or a supportive team, you must first embody care, discipline, and respect. For example, a parent who wants the best for their child must lead by example, demonstrating love, patience, and wisdom.

The Western Perspective: Agency and Innovation

The Western tradition also values the idea of creating excellence. Aristotle’s philosophy of Eudaimonia (human flourishing) highlights that achieving the "best life" is an active process of cultivating virtues like courage, wisdom, and justice. This aligns with the idea that building the best outcomes—whether in personal life or society—requires effort and integrity.

Modern Western thinkers, like Abraham Maslow, echoed similar sentiments with his Hierarchy of Needs, which places self-actualization at the pinnacle. Self-actualization is not a passive state but a continual process of growth, self-improvement, and contributing to others’ well-being. For example, a leader who expects a high-performing team must invest in mentoring, creating an inclusive environment, and setting a clear vision.

Making “The Best” Together

One compelling example comes from organizational culture. Companies that thrive, like Toyota in Japan or Google in the U.S., invest heavily in fostering innovation and collaboration. They don’t rely on receiving the best talent alone; they create an environment where individuals can perform at their best. Toyota’s Kaizen philosophy, for instance, focuses on continuous improvement by empowering employees at every level to contribute ideas and solutions.

In relationships, too, the same principle applies. A strong friendship or marriage isn’t built by waiting for the “perfect person” but by actively nurturing trust, understanding, and shared growth. Similarly, communities thrive when members contribute to collective well-being, whether by volunteering, supporting local businesses, or addressing social challenges.

A Call to Action

To deserve “the best,” we must shift from expecting to creating. Be the friend who listens, the leader who inspires, the family member who supports, and the citizen who contributes. As Eastern and Western philosophies agree, the best is not a gift—it’s a reflection of what we give. So, instead of asking, “What can I get?” ask, “What can I give?” That’s how we truly create and deserve the best.