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KIND
WORDS
Transcending Ulterior Motives
Transcending Ulterior Motives
"The Road to Kindness"
The author wishes to remain anonymous
Edited by Shmuel Greenbaum
Printed with Permission of http://www.PartnersInKindness.org
Driving on the roads is a great opportunity to practice kindness. When we are in the car, we're in our own private little domain where no one can really see us for any length of time. The crowded driving conditions create a sense of pressure. Drivers are intent on getting ahead, not letting other drivers cut in front of them, being the first at the traffic light. We are somehow not really people when we are behind the wheel; we are "drivers!"
Actually, driving this way made me feel mean. So, I decided to practice kindness behind the wheel.
Whenever I notice someone trying to change lanes on a crowded road, I let them go in front of me. If I catch their eye, I also smile and nod at the person behind the wheel.
When I see someone is not sure where to turn or is looking for an address, I give him plenty of space so they can figure out what they need without pressure.
I check my self-talk while I'm driving, and in my thoughts wish other drivers a safe and pleasant journey.
These things make for much more pleasant driving, and I haven't been late yet!
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"Transcending Ulterior Motives"
From: Kindness: Making a Difference in People's Lives: Formulas, stories, and insights
By Zelig Pliskin
Printed with Permission of Shaar Press
It is normal to have ulterior motives when you try to help others. The ultimate ideal is to transcend them. Denying them causes you to hold onto them. Acknowledge any ulterior motives you have and then you will be on the road to overcoming them.
The goal is to do acts of kindness out of love for kindness and out of love for people. It is doing kindness for the pure benefit of the people for whom you are doing it. The focus is on helping another and not on what you personally gain. Being human it is natural for us to have ulterior motives at the beginning. Some of them are:
Doing kindness in order to feel that you are a good person.
Doing kindness so this person will do you favors in return.
Doing kindness so other people will have greater respect for you.
Doing kindness in order to save yourself from the embarrassment of what people will think if you refuse.
Doing kindness so you can boast about it.
Doing kindness so this person will be indebted to you.
Doing kindness so you will be loved because you are terrified that you might be unlovable.
This does not mean that we should wait to begin to do acts of kindness until we are able to have totally pure motivations. It’s impossible to tell how long that will take. It does mean, however, that it is imperative for us to recognize why we are doing what we are doing. It’s normal to have mixed emotions. We do a kind act in part because we want to help another person or because we care about this individual and also because we want this person to help us or because we want to feel good about ourselves.
When you meet someone who has a sincere love for kindness, you can tell. Their entire being conveys this message, "I’m glad you asked me. Whatever I possibly can do for you, it is my great pleasure to do. You don’t owe me anything at all for what I have done. And please feel free to ask me again in the future." Such a person lives a joyous life out of the goodness of his heart. This is a goal worth striving for.
One of my students told me the following:
"I remember how hurt I was when I was told that my source of kindness was my wanting to be liked," the young man told me. "I argued that I did kindness for its own sake.
"It was suggested that I think about it for a moment. If I had to choose between helping a person who would be angry at me for not helping him or someone who needed my help even more but wouldn’t have any complaints against me for not helping him, who would I choose to help?
"I had to acknowledge that fear of disapproval would play a decisive role in my choice. This awareness helped me upgrade my motives."
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