A senior inspector of a police station had a large open space around the police station. He organized evening classes by volunteers for the under privilege school students of the locality. Personally he would occasionally conduct story telling in a manner that helps groom the students be good human being and responsible members of the society.
One day a celebrity came to give gift hampers to students. When the first child came forward he accepted the gift and said I promise to return this favor and walked away. The second student acknowledged with thanks and said someday I shall gift this to someone too. The third youngster folded her hands bowed to the lady and said I accept this and promise to do this act with another someday. The celebrity by now quite confused to these statements by the students looked at the senior inspector and asked what do they mean by this. While her assistants were distributing the rest of hampers to the students, the senior inspector invited the celebrity to his cabin.
The Senior Inspector explained, different people from time to time would come to give something or the other to the children. While I appreciated these gestures, I had concerns about what learning’s the kids are making of these generosities. The habit of being pampered and the free ka dependency from others, those ideas needed corrections.
A few teachings sessions were conducted with students on the coming together of the giver and receiver and the How & Why with Giving should work. We inculcated a sense of moral responsibility of gratitude in each of them for the gift they take today and a promise for the future. So when the children were taking from you they are thanking you and also sharing their promise with you. For all what they have received today, by their hard work in future they will sponsor at least one person to benefit from their earnings. Today their family economic condition may qualify them to be the receiver but tomorrow they are mentally preparing to be the Giver.
Giving also needs to be understood well. Students have a wrong idea today they have nothing to give from their possessions. But we ask them give time to care for their grandparents at home or others in the neighborhood and help largely in household chores. Kindness is something anyone can give without losing anything themselves. It is not how much we give but how much love we put into our giving. Imagine the care, caring and character kids develop as giving is the highest level of living.
When we choose to give alms it must be without any expectation of anything in return and must be as secretive the left hand not knowing what the right hand gave. Giving without remembering then becomes an expression of gratitude as our blessings.
Giving helps you in conquering greed. As a policeman a reputation of corruption precedes our work presence. I conduct sessions with my staff to limit needs and greed, as corruption incites where greed breeds.
‘My Greed’ to replace ‘What Can I Give’ is a gradual change to influence a few. I do my effort planting the seeds – blossom it will with some and that’s how goodness prevails.
I came here to give the children but through them I have received so much, said the celebrity.
In his parting words the officer shares his spiritual giving which Kabeer ji influences. Kanchan sio paaee æ nahee ṫol….. “He cannot be obtained by offering your weight in gold. But I have bought the Lord by giving my mind to Him. Now I recognize that He is my Lord. My mind is intuitively pleased with Him. SGGS Ang327.
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