posted on Oct, 4 2013 @ 08:35 AM
I have not watched the video or read the article. The general point that I get is "We spent alot of money on these preparations for our daughters
wedding, rather than lose the deposit, let's invite homeless people to enjoy the occasion."
When I worked in the restaurant industry, we often gave left over food (mostly food, but other items as they became available were given as well) to a
local food bank. I was proud of this.
I once worked with a Thai buddhist man. He was a wonderful person. Once, he was awarded a plaque by the American Red Cross at our work place to
honor him for his endless giving to their cause. Watching him accept the plaque in front of everyone, I could tell something was wrong. Afterwards I
talked to him and asked if everything was alright. He explained to me that he was rather upset with the ordeal. In his eyes, he was doing good or
following the right path as is taught in Buddhism, by giving what he could to help those in need. He felt though, that this is something that should
be done for it's own sake, and not for any kind of reward. He was embarrassed greatly by the attention it garnered, and spoke with the American Red
Cross immediately afterwards and explained that if anything of this nature happened again he would be ceasing his support of their charity.
I cannot help but agree with his reasoning. I personally don't want anyone to know what I did to help someone out, as I feel this is private between
myself and them. It's not a huge deal. I don't know that I would have reacted the way my friend did, but, had I known of their intentions I would
have explained my feelings on the matter and asked them not to do it. Kinda of a "druthers" situation, I guess.
To me, you don't do something for the acclaim of what a wonderful person you are, you do it because it needs to be done. By giving yourself, you not
only may inspire others to do the same. Not through direct promotion of the idea of what you've done, but by the person you helped knowing it
happened, and possibly helping others themselves, or they themselves telling others about the help they received. I have chosen many times to help
people anonymously to achieve this end. I also cannot help believe, that whether through the concept of Karma or otherwise, by doing this, you may
get the help you need one day as well.
Personally, when I do something for someone under the auspicious flag of "charity", I do it privately.
I do not claim to be buddhist, I simply admire their philosophies and individual character.
-SN