Do good anyway

We tell lies when we are afraid,
afraid of what we don't know,
afraid of what others will think,
afraid of what will be found out about us.
But every time we tell a lie, the thing we fear grows stronger.
-Unknown

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

I remember reading a story in elementary school about a young Egyptian foreman who was supervising the laying of the foundation for one of the pharoah's pyramids. The foreman was out in the hot sun, encouraging, watching, and correcting the work. Whenevr he found that the massive stones did not fit perfectly, he would have them realigned until they wer just right.

Another forman watched him, and came over to give him some advice. "The foundation will all be underground. Nobody will see it, " He said shaking his head. "Don't worry about it. Nobody will know."

"I will know", the young foreman replied, continuing his work.

When you do what is right and good and true, you will know, and you will remember. That will give you all the personal meaning you need. Yes, some of the work that you do will be recognized, but even good work will often be forgotten. What is important is not whether anyone remembers. What is important is who you are as a person. What matters is how you live. If you are living authentically and generously, you won't worry about whether anyone else knows or remembers.

That's why the good that you do can be anonymous. Just doing good is "enough". Just knowing that you have helped someone is "enough". The fact is that some of the foundations for your own success were laid by your predecessors. That was their gift to you. The way to return the gift is to pass it on...to work hard so that you will have a gift to give to the next person who will fill your shoes.

Many of the best things we can do for each other are little things that bring a smile or lift the spirits as we go through daily life together. Sometimes, doing good is about common courtesy and thoughfulness.

Robbie Alm of Honolulu developed the Live Aloha program to encourage people to do the little things that add up and improve the quality of our lives. Here are a few to consider:

Respect your elders and children.
Leave places better than you found them.
Hold the door.
Hold the elevator.
Plant something.
Drive with courtesy.
Let others in.
Attend an event of another culture.
Return your shopping cart.
Get out and enjoy nature.
Pick up litter.
Share with your neighbors.
Create smiles.

Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference. So take the time to smile at the lady at the newsstand...help people carry their packages into the building...be the first to start folding up the chairs after the meeting.

Do good for its own sake. Do good because it is part of who you are, part of your quality of life. The good you do will be a source of personal meaning for you, even if nobody knows or those who know forget.