Doing Good, Being Good — A Voluntary Choice
Doing good and being good is a voluntary choice—one that springs from conscience rather than compulsion. Goodness, practised for its own sake, is a rare and valuable virtue to be consciously acquired, nurtured, and passed on. It is the true barometer of selflessness. Too often, individuals become excessively preoccupied with self-glorification, promotion, prosperity, and fame. There is nothing inherently wrong with self-advancement; progress and ambition are natural human pursuits. However, when self and family become overwhelming obsessions, we begin to ignore the goodness and needs of others. It is a fallacy to believe that generosity, magnanimity, and compassion will diminish us if they “overflow.” Dams are built to prevent destruction caused by uncontrolled overflow—but human goodness is not governed by such constraints. On the contrary, a society that suppresses concern for others risks moral drought rather than abundance. Excessive avarice—the constant urge to accumulate beyond need—is harmful. The oft-quoted principle of securing one paisa to complete ninety-nine is a timeless warning against endless greed. Politicians, in particular, often present a stark example. Personal enrichment frequently knows no limits. Token acts of charity—throwing crumbs here and there—are often not concern but deception, designed to sustain fame, wealth, and permanent entrenchment in the system. True compassion does not wait until personal or family needs are fully satisfied; it is rooted in sacrifice and an outward vision that recognises more urgent human suffering. Across the world, charitable organisations, associations, and individuals rise above self-interest to serve others. In times of war and natural calamities—floods, earthquakes, tsunamis—nations themselves exhaust internal resources and must rely on the benevolence and spontaneous generosity of others. It is passion and commitment that move the human spirit from mere sentiment to meaningful action. Some are driven by conscience, motivated to lead and inspire others into collective goodness. For them, publicity and recognition are irrelevant; the welfare of humanity remains the overriding goal. Every human being is gifted with the capacity for empathy and sympathy—through words, resources, and compassionate deeds. Confining goodness to prayers, wishes, and condolences alone is inadequate. Even in the animal world, solidarity is instinctive; crows gathering to defend one of their own in distress is a striking example of natural compassion. Waiting for a grand occasion to do good is another fallacy. In everyday life, we encounter people burdened by misfortune, often without hope of assistance. In such moments, a word of comfort, a gesture of consolation, or even small material help can enable someone to tide over hardship. Genuine concern during times of death, sickness, accidents, or misfortune builds trust and strengthens the bonds of humanity. Deliberate indifference and the act of looking away cause deeper wounds than the original suffering. Many individuals consciously budget for charitable giving to alleviate human distress. While it is natural to help friends, relatives, and acquaintances—often with expectations of gratitude or return—the most enduring and rewarding goodness is shown to strangers. The biblical exhortation, “Let not your left hand know what your right hand does,” remains an enduring moral compass. The ultimate reward of doing good and being good is inner joy and deep self-satisfaction. Compassion towards others—living for others—has been described as the secret of longevity. The well-known reflection that despair over lacking shoes vanishes upon seeing a man without feet reminds us of perspective and gratitude. Blaming the wealthy for not doing enough is no justification for our own inaction. Goodness must be practised for goodness’ sake alone—not for publicity, applause, or social mileage. In essence, each of us, in our humble sphere of influence, must consciously choose to do good and to be good. Numerous associations dedicate themselves to the needs of specific groups—senior citizens, the physically and mentally challenged, widows, army veterans, retired teachers, journalists, doctors, nurses, and many others. Their focus is not reward or recognition, but the genuine urge to be available in times of need and to mitigate suffering wherever Nelson Lopes Chinchinim Nelson Lopes Chinchinim https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com
