(Saturday, November 8, 2008)
SINGAPORE 10:20 AM
Never failed to wake up before nine. Sharing another chapter of the book.
Leave People To Their Own Thoughts
I used to donate to absolutely anything. If i was walking down the street and someone shoved a cup under my nose, I would throw money in it. If a lady phoned me requesting that i buy three tacky tea towels for thirty dollars, i would do it. When people come to the office selling stale peanuts, i would think 'Yuk' and buy three bags.
Later in the day, i would ask myself, "to what cause was i donating?", and i would realise i had no idea! It may be honourable to give to charity, but i wasn't giving out of generosity. I gave mainly because i worried what people thought of me. I didn't want to appear a scrooge, so i donated. For all i knew, i could have been supporting some terrorist outfit which was about to firebomb my house, but so long as they thought i was nice, i was happy!
Too often i worried what people thought, instead of considering what i wanted. I never sent back meals in restaurants, wouldn't ask neighbours to turn their music down, rarely returned shabby merchandise to a store. When i thought i was being friendly, i was actually being wimpy. My experience is that many people share this pre-occupation with the need for approval.
"What other people think of you is none of your business"
Adapted From "Making Friends"
Illustrated By "Matthew Andrews"
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