Sometimes, we should teach our fellow how to catch fishes for themselves.
By airasheila
@airasheila (5454)
Philippines
December 6, 2011 8:26am CST
Good day fellow mylotters,
In our family, we are brought up to always serve our fellow to the best of our ability. That we are trained to do extra mile in every service that we do.
And since our parents have taught us this trait, so my mom is really doing this even at her work. Doing extra mile. However, as I grow old, I have just observed that some people are really pushing you to your limits. Just like my mom was telling a while ago. That one of our relative went to their office seeking for some help. My mom helped them, up to the last minute that they are in the office. But, the thing is, when they arrived at the office was the time when my mom was scheduled for a break time. Hence, my mom was not able to got her breaktime due to the situation. Thus, their office was kind a strict in terms of office hours. I have told my mom, that, she should tell them what their office practice, in terms of using office hours. Aside from that, she could just tell them the procedures then they can do it on their own. In addition, I have told my mom, sometimes we should teach our fellow how to catch fishes, so they can do it for themselves.
3 responses
@legendaryspider (11)
• United States
7 Dec 11
It is true that if we give a man a fish, we feed him for a day. If we teach him how to fish then we feed him for a life time. What you need to understand is that teaching a man to fish can take a great deal of effort and time. We should be willing to sacrifice any time we have even those few minutes we have in the day to teach with no thought to ourselves. If a man would seek to find his life then let him loose it in the service of others. Never criticize another for giving of them selves. It is not for us to judge the actions of those giving help or those asking for help.
@airasheila (5454)
• Philippines
7 Dec 11
hello legendaryspider,
that is a good phrase to fonder "it is not for us to judge the actions of those giving help or those asking for help". i have learned something from here.
@Aja103654 (5646)
• Philippines
7 Dec 11
well, i agree to most of what you said up here except for the last bit, that is: we should ALWAYS teach our fellow how to catch fishes themselves. this is something that should be done at first chance, or as soon as possible.
that way, we won't be bothered by them again asking for our help. we are able to do something good for them, which is something that other people can't simply take a way from them.
other people might think i sound selfish here, but here's the thing, i don't think so. i shared something to them which is far better, knowledge and skills that they can improve on, not just merely doing the work for them. there are times that we are forced to this since time is also something to consider. like i mentioned above, educate them at the very FIRST chance.
hope i made sense. by the way, aira, what you said to your mom was great. people tend to forget this important lesson in life. i have advised my mother to do the same thing when she wanted to help my aunt. i wanted her to be the 'guide' not the one doing the task for my aunt.
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
6 Dec 11
To some people it's easy (and a habit) to let others do their work. In this case they know your mother is a hard worker and will do it in less time. They also know she won't complain and yes she can be manipulated to do the work.
Bad thing about this if you start with it you can continue with it. If there will be a "thank you" you have to be gratefull for that. And if your mother did something great nobody will ever notice.
So you are right. The only way to teach that other person what it is to work and to finish a job is not to help out.
I think if your mother can do this (say: NO) her life will be easier but also she raised someone else to be responsible for his/her own deeds.
