Preamble
Welcome to day 8
Equality
Its not fair. I came first
I was standing in front of the section of the school cafeteria where freshly baked pies were sold when she joined me.
We greeted each other cordially because we knew each other.
The pies were brought out and before they were served she quickly picked the larger portion.
Let me confess: I had wanted to do that but withheld myself. I just did not feel it was right to do that.
Let the server give it appropriately
As I walked to the waiting bus which was going to take me and my remaining classmates to the hospital four our session, I wondered if my action to wait was pious or I was simply too slow.
Why were you slow? You also wanted the larger portion.
As I ate and pondered on my thoughts and the minute observation I had made, I wondered why sometimes I felt cheated when I actually did the right thing.
Maybe she was very hungry and she needed it more than I did. As long as you still got something to eat, then that is great.
One part of my reflection was:
Why did I feel bothered about what had happened?
Wasn’t it appropriate to let the other person pick before you?
Now, this is my pick: I am uncomfortable with people who are quick to pick better options for themselves while others have to deal with probably the crumbs. I interprete this attitude as only caring for oneself while not caring about others.
I feel uncomfortable with people who step on others to achieve goals or would do anything to be on the top.
Am I being realistic?
This question popped in my head as I reflected.
Does the world care?
To a major extent the world runs on the survival of the fittest. If you aren’t strong enough, you will lose and no-one would care.
You for yourself
I took her medical history and super enjoyed the communication. She was quite friendly and helped me as I mumbled with the arabic I knew. I and my partner had to wait for the Doctor in charge of us to be present to continue further.
He arrived and we began reviewing the cases together, the patients coming in and out.
Soon she entered and I volunteered to examine her.
He looked past me and chose someone else.
He had done that more than thrice
I was unhappy.
Why? I took her history and we had a good rapport
At some point, I felt he was being too picky with those he was choosing to examine the patients and told him it would be nice to make the participation more inclusive.
I reflected on this incidence and equality came to my mind. Everyone in the room was eager to participate but it depended on being chosen, however, some individuals were also willing to continuously participate even if that meant others did not get a chance.
I had fought that attitude in the past and I continue to.
Let everyone have an opportunity. If they refuse to participate then that is their choice.
I try to be inclusive whenever I have the chance to participate in a group activity. I believe in giving everyone a chance to contribute because that is what makes a group work a group work.
If it is a group work, then it is a group work not a one person work.
And from previous observations, I have noticed that when people are given the opportunity to participate actively, the activity done is more productive and enjoyed.
But that is not always the case
A concept, I still find hard to tolerate. The truth is that creating an environment where everyone has an appropriate equal opportunity is not realistic.
Why?
Because that is life. Life is not equal.
Some people were born into rich homes others were born into poor homes and others into the middle class homes.
Some people have better opportunities because of their family background and others have to struggle harder to get a meaningful pass at life.
Some people are smarter than others and that gives them an edge educationally.
Many factors we had no hand in constructing
Our fingers aren’t equal.
Neither are our toes.
My desire to be as just as possible in my dealings mainly depend on me and any opportunity I have to do so.
This means that expecting it from almost everyone I meet will only frustrate me
Frustrate me, because that is what I have experienced over again especially in cases I did not yield power. In cases where my voice carried meaning, I spoke and insisted but then there is always a limit.
Ambition if not guarded is extremely flammable. It can burn a man and consume him.
The truth is that most humans want to make meaning from their lives.
Most of us want to make tangible achievements depending on what achievement means to us.
I am no different
But our approaches are different and sometimes if you want to do it right, you may need to take longer time.
If you aren’t interested in waiting then shortcuts will be an easier option even it comes at the cost of another person.
A simple example:
How often have you experienced inequality at a queue? You’ve being waiting in line for a service and suddenly an individual strides in delicately and is handled differently mainly because of other factors you do not possess.
How often have you felt bitter and then jealous you were not in that position?
How often have you done the same thing when you had the opportunity presented to you?
How often have you make declaration of doing anything to get what you want?
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (KJV)
I confess: even though I do have the deep sense to treat people appropriately, I have also had times when I felt foolish doing so especially when my efforts were not seemingly appreciated or I got the end of the pot.
Sometimes it feels like why don’t you grab it for yourself too?
Why are you concerned about being concerned about treating others equally?
And sometimes, I have felt a sense of regret.
Or a sense of feeling cheated like the above incidence I metioned.
But when I meditate on the word of God, I am encouraged to know that I am not out of point.
Treating other people well is not foolish neither is it wrong.
Giving other people opportunities to develop is not foolish neither will it be the reason I do not progress.
Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]? (AMP)
God requires us to treat others well.
God desires that we are concerned about the welfare of others.
God loves it when we are considerate of others.
1Corinthians 10:24 Let no one seek [only] his own good, but [also] that of the other person. (AMP)
We all like good things of life.
Including me
However, motives and driving factors differ.
How we end up getting the good thing of life matters to God
THE GOLDEN RULE summarized Good for me, good for thee: Good for me (not harmful, detrimental to my life, helpful to my life, will improve my growth, will help me move further in life) can also be good for you and I should not stop you from having you or stop it from reaching you.
Now to you
Do you share my concept?
Do you have a better way of writing what I wrote?
What am I missing?
What are your thoughts?
They are warmly welcomed.
Thank you for being here, I truly appreciate.
Thank you for sharing in my thoughts.
See you tommorrow by God’s grace until then stay well and blessed.
#fromamedicalstudentfaraway
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