Through education we have to lead people to see that concern for others is actually in their own interest.

Through education we have to lead people to see that concern for others is actually in their own interest. – Dalai Lama

From the text that accompanied the image, this young man shaved his head to help raise funds to fight against cancer. Showing concern for others. He gets it, do you?

What does that mean?
This quote starts by recognizing one of the primary truths of life. We cannot force people to do or understand anything. We can only educate them and lead them to the truth.

The quote then concludes that it is in the best interest of everyone to show concern for their neighbors, their friends, strangers and even their enemies. While some may draw the line before they got to ‘their enemies,’ at least we can agree on the others on the list.

By helping others to understand the interrelation of all people, we can begin to bring the family of humanity closer together. Yes, there will always be the crazy cousin or grumpy uncle in the mix, but we are all family. Being concerned for one another is part of what makes us human.

Why is concern for others important?  
Lets start by being clear; being concerned for others does not mean we have to tend to their every need, nor does it make us obligated to them, nor does any assistance we render more important than our own needs. This is about helping others, not becoming their unpaid staff or servants.

That said, it is still one of the most important things we can do for each other. Think of the things family members are willing to do for each other and imagine a planet where everyone was treated that well. Yes, I know that not everyone has an ideal family (trust me on that).

However, I would argue that despite a less than wonderful family life growing up should help you feel even more concerned for those who are struggling. As we make our way through life, helping others can be either a chore or a joy, depending on your attitude. If it isn’t a joy, you might need to educate yourself first, right?

Where can I apply this in my life?
How often do you bump into people who might have a situation for which you might want to be concerned? I would say that nearly everyone you know, and every stranger you pass on the street, have something going on in their lives for which you could show some concern, and even provide a little help.

While it may be hard to tell with complete strangers, especially those who aren’t showing any outward signs, nearly everyone has some issue of some sort. The trick is finding out what it is. That requires communication and knowing a person well enough to know what to ask and when to stop asking.

One of the teachers at my son’s school recently had a minor cancer scare (if one can use the words cancer and minor in the same sentence). She received medical treatments which temporarily cost her her hair. Several of the students cut their hair very short for the day she visited the classroom.

While cutting your hair doesn’t help the other person’s medical condition, it certainly lets them know that they have your support and that there are people out there who are concerned for them. Sometimes, in trying times, moral support and friendship are as important to the person as the medical treatments.

In this manner, sometimes something as simple as a smile from a stranger can be helpful. Someone you don’t even know just took the time and effort not just to notice you exist, but to greet you with a smile. While some may not value that action very much, it is significant to a great number of others. The most important thing is it costs you next to nothing to do.

So the question comes back to you, but in a slightly different form: “What are you willing to do to show your concern for others?” Obviously it will depend at least in part on the relationship you have with the other person. But part of it will also depend on you.

You’ll have some good days, when it is easy to tell that someone has a need for which you can provide some assistance. Then there will be the days when all you seem to do is make things worse, either by doing the wrong thing or saying the wrong thing. That’s life, right?

The other thing to remember is that there are other people trying to do the same for you. When you notice, thank them, as you would wish to be thanked. Unless, of course, you know them well enough to know how they like to be thanked. That would be more appropriate, right?

When we are concerned for others, and act in some manner to provide assistance, we help make the world a bit more like a family. We help to make everyone a little happier. And that’s a good feeling, for both the helper and the person being helped.

Try it. you might like it!

From: Twitter, @DalaiLama
confirmed at : it’s his own feed…
Photo by Shezamm