Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next-door neighbor.... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting. ~Mother Teresa
A college professor had his sociology class go into the Baltimore slums to get case histories of 200 young boys. They were asked to write an evaluation of each boy's future. In every case the students wrote, :He hasn't got a chance." Twenty-five years later another sociology professor came across the earlier study. He had his students follow up on the project to see what had happened to these boys. With the exception of twenty boys who had moved away or died, the students learned that 176 of the remaining 180 had achieved more than ordinary success as lawyers, doctors, and businessmen.
The professor was astounded and decided to pursue the matter further. Fortunately, all the men were in the area and he was able to ask each one, "How do you account for your success?" In each case the reply came with feeling, "There was a teacher."
The teacher was still alive, so he sought her out and asked the old but still alert lady what magic formula she had used to pull these boys out of the slums into successful achievement.
The teacher's eyes sparkled and her lips broke into a gentle smile. "It's really very simple," she said. "I loved those boys."
~ Eric Butterworth
Two thoughts on this short story:
1. How people measure success
Lawyers, doctors, businessmen. What comes to your mind when you think about these kinds of jobs? I would say, "Money!"
When I first read this sentence, I found myself reflectively feel unpleasant just because it has a certain biased standard. Why do people see being a lawyer as living a successful life?
Of course, it does not say that those who make less money than so called the upper class cannot be considered successful, but what makes me unpleasant is the reality where most people measure success by how much money they make.
Oh, great. Some people might argue that lawyers are able to HELP more people than others. I would ask them, "Then, how many lawyers in the world are working from the motivation to help others? How many people who really need that help recieve help from them?"
Probably, I am being too senstive towards M.O.N.E.Y. I feel even bored when my friends praise some people who have a fortune. Money does not guarantee a successful life.
I hope I will be able not to beg for money, already holding money.
2. How I love people
The answer of the teacher was literally simple. "I loved those boys." Great, but what people wonder was the way to love! I heard somone saying love is not a mere feeling. I agree. Love can be the one creative force... but it asks for time. Love can be time-consuming sometimes.
Why am I so pessimistic tonight? ;p
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