Often, in our exuberance to serve we may neglect essential self-care principles. A gnawing vacuum then bites us and to fill the gaps in our emotional world, and we may resort to unacceptable practices or cultivate harmful habits.
Don’t we regularly hear of spiritual leaders or well-known personalities as perpetrators of abuse or victims of illicit scandals? What went wrong? Somewhere the outer positions of leadership or fame became more critical to the individual than the inner substance.
Those who work on improving themselves can offer meaningful service to others as well. Connection helps us sustain contribution. In youth, we often think we are smart and have a lot of ideas to change the world. But as we get older, wisdom blooms in our heart and we realize we need to change our selves instead.
Honesty is the best policy
“No legacy is so rich as honesty,” said Shakespeare. A story from China highlights this principle, especially for leaders.
The aging emperor had to choose a successor. He called for children from all over the country and handed them seeds to plant and grow within one year. “The way you care for the plant,” said the king, “would reveal your qualification to be the prince regent.”
The children enthusiastically participated in the project.
Ling, however, was disappointed. His seed wouldn’t grow at all. He sincerely watered it daily, but despite his best efforts, he failed to see a sprout. Meanwhile, he learned that his friends had beautiful, flower yielding plants growing from the seed the emperor gave. Self-doubt haunted him, but he chose to stay truthful.
On the D-Day Ling’s pot had nothing whereas all other children boasted of beautiful plants. The emperor studied all of them carefully and declared Ling as the winner.
To the shocked gathering, he announced, “I gave impotent seeds to all. These seeds were burnt and could yield nothing. Ling is the only honest boy who dared to be scoffed and ridiculed.”
Ling also showed he trusted himself; when everyone did well, he didn’t pretend to be what he’s not.
That’s integrity in action.
If we take honest stock of our inner state, we’ll become happy. Truth, as someone said will set us free, but first, it could make us miserable. Nevertheless, if we persevere, we’ll find peace within ourselves.
The world may or may not sing your glories, but if you come to terms with who you are and gently move forward, and help others on the way to the best of your ability, that’s a glorious life! You lived well! Congratulations!
