“Entitlement is the opposite of enchantment.”—Guy Kawasaki
There are those who are always asking and those who never ask. Personally, I prefer a bit of a balance. Those who never ask rob us of an opportunity to show our love. Those who always ask drain us.
Those who are always in need may indeed have legitimate needs, but when we focus only on our needs and expect others to rush to save us, we deprive ourselves of all that give us strength and happiness. It is downward spiral to depression, anger, bitterness, and isolation. To be truly happy, one must learn first to stand for one’s self.
Guy Kawasaki is correct. Enchantment cannot share the room with entitlement. We cannot be happy when we feel the world is indebted to us.
Troubles will certainly come. There will be times when we are dealt a crappy hand (and, for some, it may feel like an endless run of crappy hands). We may at times legitimately need help and may need to ask. If, however, we cry out for help at every problem, we will find that one by one we will drive away the will of others to come to our aid.
Know that when we have a need that no one is obligated to help. We must do first what we are able. Once we have tried for ourselves, then and only then should we reach out. When we help another, we should do so with no expectation of return. When we are helped, we must receive with gratitude—for gratitude is perhaps all we have to offer in return. Most importantly, we must pay it forward and move beyond recipient to giver.
The golden rule—do unto others as you would have them do unto you—is an admonishment to help others. Nowhere does the golden rule tell us to expect others to follow the rule. Such an expectation—i.e., entitlement—will only further weaken us Spiritually, Physically, Intellectually, Emotionally, and Socially. Accepting the challenges in life as opportunity will give one the strength to face whatever life might bring. Doing so will enable one to do for himself or herself. When the greater challenges come—as they certainly will—there will be far more people standing ready to help.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!