Today's
Meditation:
We
all will be asked to give advice sometimes. Some of
us, of course, will be asked more than others, but the
simple fact is that there will be someone in the world who
will want to ask us our advice. And when we're
asked, it's very tempting to give them advice based on
what we want or like, advice that is based on our
experience and our views of the world. But should
that really be the basis for advice for other people?
Or
should the basis of our advice be on societal definitions
of success, such as climbing the corporate ladder (a
high-stress proposition), making lots of money, having a
house that's too big, or driving an expensive car that
costs twice as much to get you somewhere as a less
expensive car would? Do we want to give people we
care for advice that would keep them stuck in difficult
financial situations?
Or
do we want to advise them to follow their dreams and
ambitions, because life is very short and we need to make
the most of it while we can? Do we want to tell them
about people who are doing what they love to do, and thus
never actually going to work? Should we tell them
about people who make less money than others, but who are
very happy doing something for which they have a great
passion?
"Success"
is a relative term. Making more money doesn't make
one more successful; doing a great job because you love to
do it is definitely success. The rewards are much
greater, and they happen much more consistently.
And
besides, shouldn't any advice we give to others come from
a place of love and caring, and be given with the hope
that it will help to make them happier people?
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