A few years ago, I promised someone that I was going to give their mum some money, so they could start up a business, not because I owe them anything, but because I've seen their struggles from far, and I just didn't want it.
Now, this wasn't because I wasn't struggling either, but somehow in the last 3 years, I've moved from just wanting what's only good for me, to wanting what's also good for others too. Now I intend to surprise them, just get them unexpectedly, make them cry some good tears of joy and all that.
Infact I was planning to significantly improve the lives of two elderly people I know, and the plan was going good, but somehow I lost the money I wanted to use to make that happen, so I wasn't just disappointed with myself, I was angry I couldn't make it happen.
Somehow these people didn't know I had plans to do something really good for them, I didn't tell them, so I wouldn't raise their hopes, but somehow all that money and plans went down the drain and I'm not just currently in survival mode, I'm currently hiding away from people, afraid to pick calls, afraid that someone might ask me for help, cuz I can't help and can't even help myself too.
Over the past few years, I've derived more happiness from helping people in ways I can, it somehow has become a selfless part of me.
I understand what it means to be depraved, broke and having no opportunity to improve my situation, and everyday I see I see a stranger making someone's life significantly better, it makes me happy to know that even if humanity and compassion in the world is at an all time low, at least some good people are there.
A few months back, a friend and I was hoping on someone to help us with a business opportunity, and if we had gotten that help, we wouldn't just be able to change our lives alone, we would change the lives of a lot other people too, just because we got one tip or help from someone.
You see, we don't talk enough about how a good or bad gesture carry a lot of ripple effect.
Now, let me deviate a little.
For example in Nigeria, a lot of people are having political quarrels and disagreement over who should win the next Nigerian election.
Now, Obviously, everyone knows who is the best for the position, but some person are choosing not to, because they see politics or governance as banter, a mere petty disagreement among tribes.
In other words, people wants to intentionally make the wrong choices so they can spite others even though they know that these choices collectively affects the future of people and even unborn generations.
Now, whole this little example might not drive home my point, what I'm trying to say is that their are a lot of bad people in the world, and these state of "BADNESS" is why there are ripple effect for wickedness.
People choose to be horrible for the sake of pride, ego, nepotism and so many other things. Which means the wickedness of many, is directly a weird satisfaction of seeing others unhappy, and this is one weird part of humanity.
Also, there are those who aren't good or bad, they just necessary don't want to inconvenient themselves even if an act of kindness will cost them nothing. These are the types of people we mostly have in the society.
I've seen acts of kindness create a ripple effect. I've good people become rich, change the lives of others and these people go on to change the lives of multiple other people, just because one person decides to be a good person, just one act of kindness creating a "ricochet", that echoes through people and places.
This has always been my idea of being good.. a few days ago, I took time to reflect on it, and discovered that, I've not been able to be good to some people or show them some art of kindness that might change their lives, because I've tried myself to get the help I need to do that, but haven't been able to.
I know someone who is actively securing jobs for people even though he himself is not in such a good place financially, but he uses the connection he has built over the years to help other. Now imagine what a person like this can do if they're actually equipped through connection, money and opportunity in a person who already has compassion and empathy?
The "bad people" conundrum
But on the other hand, it's not fictional when we se that bad people are the ones who are actually more connected, richer and has means.
They're not necessarily bad per se, they're just not kind and empathetic, Which means their wealth and rich originally stays with them because they not extend hands to transform the lives of others. So we have an endless loop, a gap and a divide, and that's why life becomes difficult, rigid and placid.
I think people can start from lending helping hands that wouldn't cost them much or at least give them little to no discomfort, seeing giving as an act of selflessly blessings others instead of getting back in return.
Somehow, we can choose to translate this into a more fulfilling context, and something as simple as seeing people fulfilled or happy.
Inasmuch as seeing people happy does mo intrinsically add anything to one, I think there's still a effortless joy that comes with knowing that the help a person has gotten may have taken them out of poverty, helped them secure an opportunity which in turn helps them help that person who has been asking them for help too.
It begins with consciousness and empathy I think.
