Doing ‘Good’ Sucks

It is easy to pride ourselves when we think we have done 'good' to others. Yet, we argue here that the only way to delude yourself into thinking that you have brought more benefit than a drawback to someone else by your actions is to be small-minded enough to consider only one set of perspectives.

Now that you are still here.

Our argument here is based on how impossible it is to calculate or know the full ripple effect of any action. The butterfly which flaps its wings does make the earth shudder and what that shudder produces is immeasurable in its impact.

We know this isn't how we usually like to think of our actions. Instead, we prefer to think of only the benefits of our actions. Yet that is willfully small-minded and shortsighted.

Have you ever given money to a person on the street who then bought food only to return to panhandle once again on the streets? Or perhaps you gave money to someone who bought a cigarette and then is inspired to work again so that he never had to beg for another cigarette? So, is the giving of food or cigarette a good or bad gift? Or does that depend on who's judging and by what measuring stick?

You can demonstrate this for yourself.

Go to a specific moment when you think you have done 'good.' Where were you? When did you do this good? Who was the person for which you did well? What did you do?

How was that 'good' thing, that 'service,' a 'bad' thing, a 'disservice' to that person? Because ripples have an up and a down wave, we guarantee both sides exist and equally so.

We have had so many clients who thought they were doing good by leaving a business or money to their kids. And then wonder why their offspring seem to lack hunger, drive, or a plan. Or kids who feel so obligated to the family name and business that they never cultivate their gifts or live their lives. So, was that gift so 'good'?

Or others who keep staff on the roster when they know that individual is not serving themselves or the business best by being there. So is it 'good' to keep the staff or fire them?

Recognize that good or bad are only labels attached by someone with one set of skewed values (always skewed) and considering only one set of perspectives.

Does that mean that we don't consider the consequences of our actions? Or that we analyze till "we're paralyzed?"

No. It means that we consider consequences, weigh those against what is most important to us, our true Highest Values, and act. We act rather than react – rather than pretending we are doing 'good,' not 'bad.'

So, act in keeping with your Highest Values rather than pretending that you are doing good.