The it I am talking about is you. Are you really that important? I asked myself that same question after viewing the movie The Book of Eli (affiliate link) (starring Denzel Washington).
In the movie Denzel Washington’s character? is carrying and protecting the last Bible on earth. Asked why the book was so important by someone who had never read it, he responded, “Do for others more than you do for yourself.” That is what Denzel Washington said the main message was that he had learned from reading it everyday.
Whether you are religious or not, do you feel the same way that Denzel does, that you should do for others more than you do for yourself?
If every human being thought this same way, the world would be a much better place. Here are three reasons why this is true:
- We would get over ourselves. Most problems and issues we have with others would go away if we would just get over ourselves. I can’t think of many disagreements that I have with my wife that don’t involve me being selfish. Putting others first will help us to see things through their eyes. Seeing things through their eyes will help us to be more empathetic and understanding. We will fight less for what we want and fight more for others who need someone to fight for them.
- There would be less people in need. If we take a look around ourselves, there are people in need all over the place. Some of these people are more visible than others. We all know people who could use our help, especially in today’s economy?. If we begin to do more, we could ease much of the suffering of others. Even the smallest effort can make the biggest difference. Mow someone else’s lawn without them asking, buy lunch for the person behind you at the counter next time, when you ask how someone is doing, really mean it and be willing to listen and help.
- We wouldn’t have so much stuff. My wife and I have been selling a lot of things we own because we may move. Through this process we have both come to realize that we have so many things that we don’t need. I bet that if we all took a good look at our possessions we could find things we spend our money on that we don’t need. This would allow us to put more of our money to good causes and less to building up our stuff piles. Having so much stuff makes us more stressed and less happy in the long run.
It took Denzel Washington’s character almost dying to truly believe and live the idea of living for others more than self. I hope that it doesn’t take the rest of us almost dying to figure it out too.
Start living for others more than yourself and see what happens.
Leave examples in the comments about some of things you have done, or are doing, to live like this.
