Does the intention matter when doing a good act? Does the ‘why’ really matter? Shouldn’t it be all about the impact the act itself will have? These days, we have a lot of people who are so heavily involved in this charity of a thing, they will turn just about everything into a charity case. With a camera close by, they could even give the world to a total stranger.
Most of the time, the benefits are massive for the giver. They draw more love and support from their followers, they probably get more sponsors for their brands, and they make more money in the long run. It just goes to show that in the world of showbiz, showing that you’re a good person is better than being a good person. It’s sad, but that’s the reality of the world we live in today.
Just yesterday, I made a post talking about how controversy sells. Well, this is yet another thing that sells, playing on the hearts and minds of your followers and tricking them into believing you’re a good person. Most people do it, celebrities, politicians, name it; hell even pastors and other religious leaders do it!
One thing I’ve come to realize is that no matter what you’re giving, whether it comes from your heart or not, you’re mostly doing it for yourself. Regardless of what you tell yourself. Aside from the obvious reasons I’ve mentioned above, there is also the more noble fact. You could be a giver simply because of the feeling it gives you, knowing that you’re responsible for someone else’s happiness. You could also be a giver because your religion preaches it and you don’t want to be on the wrong side of the teaching. But then, this also means that should your religion suddenly ban giving, you’d drop it faster than you’d drop a hot potato.
But then, when you look at the big picture, does the reason really matter? Personally, I believe that whether the gift is coming from your heart or not is between you and your conscience. I don’t think whoever you’re helping will care whether you really want to help them. There is a level of desperation some people will get to, no matter what you tell them to do, they would do it just to get that thing from you. In the end, it boils down to if you’re a good person or not. Are you going to make people grovel before you help them? Or would you simply give? The choice is up to you.
When it comes to helping people, the intent doesn’t matter. I don’t care what your intention is as long as it’s not a crime and you’re not gaslighting. Some people come online to promise that they will do and undo to orphanages and old people's homes, but that never happens. They only use it to trend and farm followers. Their followers think they fulfilled their promise while the institutions in question don’t receive anything.
No matter what people do, no matter what they say, people will always be selfish. No matter the lens through which you look at humans, we’d only do things we think are right for us. So, even if your benefactor comes with a convoy of news vans and paparazzi, accept what they have to give. Although it could bring see-finish, people will mock you and make fun of you, but believe me, many of those mocking you will grab that help faster than even you will.
Just don’t concern yourself with what people are thinking, accept whatever help comes your way with grace and poise. If you feel that it’s something you can’t accept do it with grace. Of course, there are some people who will not accept such a gift that’s been popularized all over the internet. Not everyone is the same. So, just do your thing.
So, my dear friends, forget all that talk about how it’s what’s in the heart that matters. As long as they’re not trying to kill or maim you, believe me, what’s in their heart doesn’t matter at all.