Mindset Shift in Giving

 

Everyone speaks of the importance of investing in oneself. Moreover, few people make such investments out of pure selflessness; most naturally expect some form of future return. In the context of work, however, the return may manifest, contrary to one's initial expectations, as a new opportunity to test one's potential. The rewards originally anticipated often materialize only after a considerable time lag—following the successful pursuit of an opportunity, the sustained achievement of results, and eventual recognition by others. In contrast, when cultivating virtue—an essential part of living a proper life—expecting something in return can make it difficult to sustain such actions and may ultimately prevent one from achieving the intended purpose. Yet, because becoming completely free of personal desire is extremely difficult for most people, the practice of accumulating merit may be hard to sustain unless it also brings some personal fulfillment—creating a mutually beneficial situation in which one's own heart is fulfilled while the other person is pleased. Therefore, it is important to maintain a flexible mindset. Rather than regarding such acts with excessive seriousness as mere obligations or predetermined duties, we should seek to discover personal joy in the actions themselves. In doing so, we may find that doing good for others and enriching our own hearts can naturally become one and the same.

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