My maid came to me and was about to cry. She is working in five more households. Two years back, when she was going through very tough time, she discussed with one of her employers. Her employer gave her few old things from house and some money. Money she had returned slowly but yes those things she was still using. Like some old clothes and bedsheets. Some old dishes etc. She said that on every occasion, she reminds her that how in times of need she had helped the maid lady and how maid shall be obliged to do many things for that employer. The maid was crying and her self respect was hurt. She said that she did not know what to do in such situation. She wants to quit but she was feeling she would be thank less. She had already returned the money. If she can, she would pay for the things. But they were really torn. And how could she go and say, please take money for what you have given. I heard her and after sometime, she was better. Next day, like she knew what she had to do, she went there and told that lady, that for those old things many times she had done extra work and she had never opened her mouth to remind her of how many times she had done extra work. So it’s even Saying this she quit!
A person in need also has self esteem. We are not giving anything to anyone. It’s just that they are happening through us. Be grateful that you were able to help someone. Know that in one or other way, you are also receiving. Be there for people with gratitude. Do not give with an ego! It reminds me of a story, where Arjun asked Krishna that he also makes lots of charities but why is Karan know for same. Arjun created a mount of Gold and asked Arjuna to finish giving it by evening. Arjun called up villagers and kept giving till evening. By evening he could not even finish one tenth of it and he was exhausted. Then next day, Krishna called Karan and asked same. Karan stepped aside, called up everyone and asked to take whatever they wanted. Krishna told Arjuna, this is the difference. When you were giving, you had that “I” in that and Karan does not have that “I”. We all need to remember that. With “i” we can never give enough and we will always be tired. And we also will forget that this mount was given by someone else to us too. So be a giver with gratitude.
