The joy of serving others
Benjamin Western
Learning Programmes in Sales & Creative Thinking | Founder at the Shining Light Project
I was walking to the gym the other day, and the wind had blown four recycling containers into the road. Usually, I would grab the boxes, but I wanted to see this play out (a kind of nerdy social experiment). How many cars would weave through the boxes as opposed to getting out and moving the boxes back to the pavement?
With great amusement, I witnessed four drivers slow to a near halt as they weaved their way through the four recycling containers in some comical slalom. They each took about 15 to 20 seconds to weave through the slalom of boxes. Four cars multiplied by the 17.5 seconds average = 70 seconds in total.
Then came a Good Samaritan. This person grabbed all four boxes and placed them back outside the houses they had blown from. It took him about 20 seconds - about the same time it took each of the drivers to weave through the boxes.
Whilst this might seem a menial example, it felt emblematic of a broader societal observation, namely, the contrasts of four people looking after their interests (not getting out of the car) versus one person doing the 'selfless thing' of fixing the problem for others.
I certainly don't judge the slalom drivers (I believe wholeheartedly in non-judgement). Who knows what was going on for them that day. Neither do I hold the Good Samaritan that picked up the recycling boxes in some holy light. But I did see the joy it brought him and the goodness it did for others, and why this is a strong metaphor for how we build a better world.
Each day we are presented with countless opportunities to do something positive for the whole. How many times a day could we do something that ultimately, takes little or no more effort than doing the thing that only serves the self (which again, isn't meant to sound judgemental of the slalom drivers, rather, it's an objective observation and question)
It could be holding doors open for others, smiling at others; giving up our seats; putting our arm around someone struggling; picking up litter, and indeed, picking up recycling boxes.
It should go without saying, I dare not think of the times I have not been a Good Samaritan! Life can often be complex and demanding. We can all have a terrible day and I think the world does an 'excellent' job of making us unwell, hurried, and chaotic.
The impact can often be choosing to do the easy thing, not the generous thing. Yet life is so much more beautiful when we walk at a pace that enables us to stop to do the kind thing for others.
Small acts of kindness compound make a big difference. By the same token, actions that benefit the self over the many will compound to negatively impact the broader feeling of benevolence within our communities.
The world feels increasingly manic to me. Maybe I'm just getting more sensitive as I near my forties! But even if that is true, I believe it is a perennial truth that there is joy in giving yourself the time to slow down and do the kind thing. And I think your altruism will be rewarded in your increasing happiness.
Thanks for reading and take care.
Ben
I'd like to thank the 642 people that have joined Ways to Build a Better World. It has been a few weeks since I published, and yet I still receive messages of support and ideas in response to the articles. Thank you so much! If you enjoy the articles, it would mean a lot if you could share them with others that you think would enjoy them! Have a great day and good luck to you in your own endeavours.
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I'm privileged to be part of a charity, The Shining Light Project . I work in sustainability for LRQA (all ideas and errors here are my own!) I live in sunny Clacton-On-Sea. I enjoy jumping in rivers, reading and walking, and I'm a monumental music geek! I am also a Dad to a beautiful young daughter who is my greatest inspiration for creating Ways to Build a Better World .
Elevating business performance through Commercial Excellence
2 年Great article Ben. I’ve recently read that altruistic acts can help generate Serotonin which helps boost mood and the feeling of well-being and contentment….so helping others can contribute to our own positive mental health
Volunteer at The One Love Project
2 年At the soup kitchen I volunteer at the other evening a guy asked if we had a belt ..his jeans kept falling down and he said all he did was pull them up ..I found a old scruffy belt for him and it was like he had won the lottery...he said it would make a huge difference to his life... It's the little things...