SELFLESS INTENT BRINGS PEACE – “When we finally get our own selfish motives out of the way, we begin to find a peace that we never imagined possible.” (The Basic Text, p.45)
How have you been able to push aside selfish motives, lately?
“The light of lights looks always on the motive, not the deed, the shadow of shadows on the deed alone.”
– William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1935) Irish poet
The Ant and The Cricket :
A silly young cricket, accustomed to sing
Through the warm, sunny months of gay summer and spring,
Began to complain when he found that, at home,
His cupboard was empty, and winter was come.
Not a crumb to be found
On the snow-covered ground;
Not a flower could he see,
Not a leaf on a tree.
“Oh! what will become,” says the cricket, “of me?”
At last by starvation and famine made bold,
All dripping with wet, and all trembling with cold,
Away he set off to a miserly ant,
To see if, to keep him alive, he would grant
Him shelter from rain,
And a mouthful of grain.
He wished only to borrow;
He’d repay it tomorrow;
If not, he must die of starvation and sorrow.
Says the ant to the
cricket, “I’m your servant
and friend,
But we ants never
borrow; we ants never
lend.
But tell me, dear cricket,
did you lay nothing by
When the weather was
warm?” Quoth the cricket,
“Not I!
My heart was so light
That I sang day and night,
For all nature looked gay.”
“You sang, Sir, you say?
Go then,” says the ant, “and dance the winter away.”
Thus ending, he hastily lifted the wicket,
And out of the door turned the poor little cricket.
Folks call this a fable. I’ll warrant it true:
Some crickets have four legs, and some have two.
http://www.english-for-students.com/the-ant-and-the-cricket.html
I have been able to push aside my selfish motives by consistently looking for opportunities to help others. I recently heard a quote that resonated with me greatly. Basically, it said that you should view doing things for others as your duty, rather than expecting a reward out of it. This has really solidified my perspective on being selfless, that it is our duty as human beings here on this planet to make this experience good for others.
By taking in my lessons and experiences, as opposed to complaining about them to others. This way I take responsibility for what must be done and decisions that have to be made, as opposed to covertly seeking answers, guidance, and comfort from others.
It is amazing to me how beautifully I can dress up a really awful idea. I can actually fail to see my own dishonesty. My Higher Power gave me a pretty good mirror, though. My Higher Power gave me friends in the Program. When I really want the truth, it really helps me to ask an FIP (Friend in the Program).