THE GOOD LIFE

When You Do The Right Thing

by MEGS S. LUNN

“Do the right thing, at the right time, in the right place, with the right people, and everything will turn out right.” – IJA Motto

In our everyday dealings with people, we don’t know whom to trust and who are our real friends are, through thick and think. At some point, you gather friends because you have the resources. What about if you have nothing? Can you still claim that you have a thousand friends? 

Gathering friends to trust aren’t due to popularity or because one is rich or highly educated. You find friends because you are real, humble, and strong. Because you touch other people’s lives, you become friends. Since you live a meaningful life, you are transparent, with integrity and above all, you are doing the right thing. 

On the other hand, there are still people who take advantage of one’s generosity. They are the people who are lazy and resort to extortion, to drop names of other people, to take the chance on the vulnerability of someone, and even to the point of blackmailing a good hearted person.

To live a good life can be harsh, too. “You will have delayed promises, difficult problems, undeserved criticism and even senseless tragedies. But God wants us to pass the tests of life; so He never allow the tests we face to be greater than the grace He gives.”

BCPB’s motto is worth pondering over and over again. “Be honest when others are not, if others are not, if others will not.” All government offices and strategic areas in town and cities are provided with this billboard. But no matter what, people just read but do not understand. They even refuse to understand the tenets of living the principle of “honesty is the best policy.”

With all the calamities and tragedies that here and now are happening, we may look back on how we live our life from day to day. What matters most is when you face the Lord Almighty. It is ‘not who you are’ that he will ask, but ask, “my child, what did you do to the least of my brethren?”

What a beautiful way to live a life where you can sleep peacefully and wake up with a smile on your face for yet another wonderful opportunity to serve others by doing the right thing. There is so much to be thankful with, to have live another day. We live to be the light for others, to gain pain for others and not inflict pain to others. It is not what other people do to us, but what we do for them. 

Rotary’s Four Way Test on the things people does, is worth emulating: 1) Is it the truth? 2) Is it fair to all concerned? 3) Will it build goodwill and better friendships? and 4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

According to an avid reader, “Not everyone will see your sacrifices, will appreciate your efforts, will understand your action, and even your most sincere intention may be questioned by others. 

Hence, make life as beautiful as your heart. No matter what, just do the right thing. /MP