If I Am Not For Myself, Who Will Be For Me? An Explanation to Your Best Results

The above title is actually part of a quotation from Rabbi Hillel many years ago, being "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?" The point that he was making, and that I would like to expand on, in today's terms, is that we need to think of ourselves, as well as others, and bring the two together. In addition, you can't rely on others to just make things happen for you- you need to be pro active, but often, you may need other's help in general terms. Some of you may be confused at this point, and others may get it right away. Either way, let me explain myself.

I know some people like to think of themselves as independent, and able to achieve anything on their own. Now, it may well be that you are independent, and I encourage that. However, I can assure you that we are all still, dependent on others, in terms of the bigger picture. "What do I mean?", you may ask. Well, quite simply, if I am going to make the decision to invest some of my money in the bank, or in the stock market, I am relying on others using those funds, so they can benefit, and pay a premium, which contributes to my profit. Another example is when you go shopping for your weekly groceries at the market. I can assure you that someone has had to grow the vegetables, and probably thousands of people have come together in different food manufacturing plants to create the food that you are buying. It may be the workers in the bakery for the bread, or the people in the food factory for frozen meals, and the list goes on and on. The point I wish to make is that we, in society depend on others, possibly indirectly, but we all fit together in some extended web.

Expanding on this idea, I feel that even though we can be 'independent, we can still be aiming to provide service to others, which is the highest way to be. No matter what type of work you perform for a living, there is a good chance, (if not guaranteed), that you are providing service to someone. Why else would someone else pay you? You may be providing service to your employer, directly, or if you are self employed, be earning from your clients who you service. It can be scary when life is shown this way, but unless you have taken up a position as a hermit, in some lonely hut, you are part of society. The fact that you are reading this proves that- you are on an online system, part of a wider network.

To succeed in life, you always need to be concentrating on the provision of service at the highest standard possible. Quite frankly, just looking at some companies out there, it's a miracle they're still in business. How often have you called someone, only to be told your call is important, while you're on hold?