Egotists and Activists

[Holise E. Cleveland III]

I hear about people who seem to be activists just for the brownie points. They are more concerned with their own praise than anything else. We should be wary of those who seem to have the animals’ best interest in mind, when in fact they obviously have their own agenda. This article will hopefully cause some people to look in the mirror and help them see if they are being completely selfless. In order to grow and be a better person than the day before, we must all re-evaluate ourselves sometime.

 

“Sometimes people would be much more productive and much better off if they checked their egos at the door.” ~ Dee Reid

This is true, but someone who was raised by egotistical parents may have a real struggle ahead of them, even if they realize they are not being truly selfless. Just as you and I cannot understand a person’s need for self proclamation, they may not understand that we do not have such a need. I have been asked by these types what my true agenda is. They are dead certain that I have ulterior motives. Just as a compulsive liar assumes that “everyone is a liar,” these egotists assume we are not the genuine article and they conclude that no one is.

 

The real test for one’s self is to practice selfless acts and tell no one. For example: help a blind person across the street or donate money to a worthy cause. Do you find it irresistible to tell people what you have done? It’s best to do these things with the intention of telling no one as a practice to overcome selfish idiosyncrasies. Only then will you discover that nothing is more personally gratifying than a completely selfless act.

 

Certainly, there are exceptions. If you are the administrator of a facebook page, blog or website, announcing what you have done can be incentive for your followers to do the same. For me, this is uncomfortable. I do not like to toot my horn, but it has its advantages in rare situations. Nevertheless, if I give money to an organization, there is no need to declare the amount donated.

 

I don’t seek popularity, but I do want my blog to be influential. I want as many facebook friends as possible and I would like tons of Twitter followers. The reasons are quite simple. I want to reach as many people as I can. I want to enlighten those who are not aware of this world’s atrocities and I want to encourage those who are. I want them to take the links, photos, videos and insights that I share and use them to help make this world a better place. I don’t care if they give me credit for it. That’s not the point!

 

If I have a thousand facebook friends who share a link with all of their friends, I have actually done something good by sharing that one link. It is only obvious that having 2,000 friends make such a task even more effective. In the end, it doesn’t matter if people know my name. It only matters that I have done something and since my children see all that I do, they will know that I did my best. They are the ones that matter. Even if they don’t say, “Wow, Dad! You’re doing such a great job,” I know that they know I’ve done my best, no matter the outcome.

 

So, don’t be too hard on the egotists. If they are doing something to make this world a better place, then they are already better people than the ones who are doing nothing. Keep in mind that their selfishness is their parents’ fault and they have a difficult road ahead of them, but they are trying. We must keep in mind that there are only two types of people in this world that really matter. As Louie Psihoyos said, “To me, you’re either an activist or an inactivist.”

“The most compassionate form of giving is done with no thought or expectation of reward, and grounded in genuine concern for others.” – Dalai Lama

 

“We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 

“If you make your best effort to be kinder, nurture compassion, make the world a better place, then you can say ‘At least I’ve done my best’.” – Dalai Lama

 

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