Money and power have been conventionally treated as metrics of success. But Arianna Huffington, co-founder of the Huffington Post has an interesting and useful take on it. She says a third metric needs to be added. The third metric comprises of four pillars; wellbeing, wisdom, wonder and giving. Given the conventional importance accorded to money, does giving necessarily have to be by way of money? I don't believe so, and here's a story to illustrate what I am saying.
When animal rights crusader and minister, Maneka Gandhi was thirty and looking for funds to get an ambulance for her newly set-up animal hospital, she wanted to approach her ‘personal hero’ Ratan Tata for funds but didn't want to approach him directly. She was advised to speak to a certain Mrs Moolgaonkar, whose husband was held in high regard by Ratan Tata. By a happy coincidence, it turned out the lady knew Maneka from a brief interaction they had six months ago. “Remember,” she told Maneka, “you helped me pick up my bag in an aircraft and put it in the overhead bin? That was me, because of that, I will speak to Mr. Tata.” She kept her word, and Maneka got her ambulance.
Maneka may not necessarily have meant it as doing a good deed, but just coming from a position of helping someone who could do with some assistance.
Giving then, does not necessity have to be by way of money, it can also be by way of our time, our knowledge, our space, or use our network to facilitate someone in need. Or it could even be a small courteous gestures such as helping someone with heavy bags. What is important is to have a willingness to give. Because, then the heart finds its ways.
The bonus? The universe returns the deed in many unexpected ways.
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