April 25/14 – Acknowledging people’s help has always been my habit. Regardless of the kind of help I receive, whether it is small or big, I always remember it and try to do a good deed in return at appropriate times. When I am talking about appreciating people’s help, it not only means helping someone who has helped me in my personal life and is close to me, but also reciprocating the kind gestures of those who have helped in my businesses as well.
I am not saying though that I help only those who help me. Far from it. I’ve dwelled on this in my other blogs and I do not want to speak a lot about it, lest I be judged negatively or be tagged a brag. For now, let me dwell on another perspective of helping…
Be it my family or my friends who were always there for me and helped me emotionally and financially when I was down, I help whenever I could to the best of my ability. My inner circle of friends is tight because of the trust we have for one another and because I don’t mind going to the extremes when it comes to helping them. For example, there was a time when I received a phone call from a friend at 3am asking me to pick him up immediately because he was in trouble. I quickly got into my car, drove to where he was even without knowing what kind of trouble he was in and what kind of help he really needed from me. I didn’t even consider the danger my action was going to bring me. No questions asked.
I have been able to carry this natural inclination of “helping those who have helped me” to my workplace as well, by rewarding my staff for their productivity and for showing their sense of responsibility. There would be bonuses much bigger than they were expecting. There would be paid vacation leaves much longer than what was mandated by law. As a result, staff stayed loyal to the company, colleagues and staff became friends, and in some cases, I became their mentor, advising them on options they may have to make their lives better. This is my own way of paying tribute to them for the help they have given me.
It is this same attitude that prompted me to propose to Maurice to award the “MC lifetime VIP membership” to those who believed in us, to those who believed in MC by registering before the deadline. It is my way of saying “thank you” to all those chess lovers who stepped up to support our vision.
This is how I am. This is how I was brought up. And this is how I have brought up my children. I handed down to them the two Chinese proverbs that I was raised by, which loosely translated is, “When you receive someone’s help, make sure you remember it for 1000 years” but “when you help others, help with no expectation of getting anything in return.”
Indeed, how much more beautiful this world would be if everyone put these two lines into practice!
Expressing Gratitude, a Great Attitude = 6
Amy. You never cease to amaze me. It’s just the greatest example that set. You never sit back and turn to wrong attitude.
You are a wonderful Boss, mentor, businesswoman and sure friend on any day.
Thanks for you being you.
And thank you for being you as well! Deon, I can’t wait to finally meet you in person this fall… 🙂
What a great Chinese Proverb. I like that a lot. It has been my guiding philosophy in life.
That’s the Chinese in me, living by a lot of Chinese proverbs passed on to us by our grandparents and parents. This, despite the fact that I was raised in Canada and have been here since I was 8 years old.
Wow very well said! I do wish more people would share your attitude. You actually reminded me of a saying I heard a long time ago: “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
I am glad that you appreciate it, Bulla. I LOVE that last line of yours! Am looking forward to reading more of your inspiring quotes.
<3 love it
Gratitude is a powerful emotion for me indeed!