Yesterday Rie reminded me of a movie we had watched together, pay it forward. We decided to watch it again because the concept is not only good but it is also real. If you haven’t seen the movie watch this trailer to get the gist.
If we all paid it forward then we would create heaven on earth and immediately overcome all suffering. The idea used in the film is that of multiples of three. So that if one person looks after three and each of these three look after three, more and more people are looked after. In the film the process is done anonymously, no one ever knows that they are being helped.
A long time ago I sat before my teacher in Satsang, a time of question, answer and sharing. I asked him what his life was about, his purpose and his meaning. His response was simple and to the point. If in his life he could encourage ten people to act positively with those around them and, if in turn these ten did the same, then the growth would be exponential, just look at the effect of ten steps of paying it forward.
1 person = 10
10 people = 100
100 people = 1000
1000 people = 10,000
10,000 people = 100,000
100,000 people = 1000,000
1000,000 people = 10,000,000
10,000,000 people = 100,000,000
100,000,000 people = 1000,000,000
1000,000,000 people = 10,000,000,000
Depending on your mathematical terminology in ten steps one person has affected ten, million,million,million people, not bad.
Later on, in my studies, I heard the speech given by JFK, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, when he visited Berlin in the 1960’s. At the time Germany was still rebuilding its economy after the devastation of Nazis control and the Second World War. He made two statements that impressed my young mind. The first he said “I am a Berliner”, that is I am one of you or we are all one. The second was “Do not ask what my country can do for me, ask what I can do for my country”.
This simple principle of giving has been with me in my work, all my life. Not just personally, I do try to give as much as I can to all that I meet. Whether it is a couple, a family, a team, a company, an organisation, and so on, it will only function properly and prosper if the individuals involved opt in, and look after the whole. If they stand back waiting for others to look after their needs it inevitably fails.
When we each ensure that the needs of those around us are met, we are all looked after. If we all expect everyone else to look after our needs, then in the end, no one’s needs will ever be met.
In terms of Karma it is simple. When we positively work to help others, we create an atmosphere where in the end, our own needs are met as well. So, in looking after others we are really looking after ourself. Sounds like a good deal, a good pay off and a win win situation.
In a world of givers and takers, pay it forward and be a giver, anonymously, expecting nothing in return and watch the world change around you.
Take care, be happy
Sean x
