Depends on who you ask, it's for the best as well. After all, the old ticker has hit a maximum of 207 beats per minute and the liver has seen a number of binge drinking episodes (albeit a few) anyways.
But how am I going to give back to society, I asked the doctor as he relayed the news to me. He suggested I donate my time instead. Help out at the soup kitchens, spend some time with orphans. There are other ways to ensure that the needs of others are put before yours.
I've always donated blood as there is more than enough to go around in an average human anyways. It was relatively painless, didn't cost me a thing and I felt fulfilled in giving back to the society.
Being an organ donor was something that I was thinking of doing as well. After all, what use are your organs to you when you are dead and gone anyway?
Was I really being selfless by donating blood, or thinking about donating organs? Was I really putting the interests of others above myself by doing so?
Or was I being selfish? After all, there is more than enough blood going around in me, organs are of no use to me when I'm no longer breathing. And it didn't cost me a thing. Cost being the key word here.
Donating time to a charitable organisation when there isn't enough of it in a day? Clearly, the selfish part of me is starting to show. Why is that? I guess it comes down to personal values. I value my time and I would not be willing to give it away so easily. Choosing the way you wish to give back to society is a selfish act. Choosing to safe the life of a lover over the life of an enemy is a selfish act. Spending your own hard earned money on what you deem important to yourself rather than spending it on your loved ones or handing it out to every pan-handler on the street is a selfish act.
Conversely, giving help to a stranger over a friend is a selfless act. Giving up your lover over a hated person is selfless. Giving out money to a beggar you see on the street or putting the needs of your loved one over yourself is a selfless act.
Who deems what is selfish and what is selfless? It really depends on a whole host of factors. Upbringing, education, religion...etc. What is deemed socially right in our modern and western world may seem taboo to others in a different society.
So...where do I sign up to work the line for the nearest soup kitchen?
7 comments:
Perhaps it doesn't matter if we give selflessly or selfishly so long as we give? :)
i feel the same (although i am scared of needles, so i dont even donate blood!)
after reading your article i feel bad for telling the orphans we come back and visit after spending half a day talking to them about public speaking.
@Kenny : Yup, we also need to give without thinking of getting anything in return ;)
@Joe : LOL. Don't make that promise an empty one bro :)
You are not being selfish if you do not choose to spend the time doing charitable activities. I once had this urge to sign up for something but was told by a friend that there is an expectation that shelter homes, orphans or the charity will have an expectation of sorts if you go there once, that you'll be there more often.
Time is a valued commodity. I truly feel if you are stressed for time, donation in kind is just as good.
Now go reflect you fellow Capricorn.
-jie-
@Po : December lar, time for reflection mar :)
Unka, I thought you are already in the clear? Why still not allowed to donate blood?
Shouldn't they correct their records? How does that work?
@anon : I think they are just trying to be safe lor. *shrugs shoulders* what can I say?
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