SOURCE OF HAPPINESS
As learned in class, leadership is not about leading or getting to a high position; it's about serving people and that's what we call servant leadership. A servant leader puts others' needs in front of his own. He or she is aware of others' situations; he or she empathizes, listens and gives help. To put it into practice, first we need to observe, then act to help.
Every day, we see people in need of help: your classmate forgets to bring her pen; needy cannot find seats on the bus; people loading with heavy stuff and don't have a hand to open a door, etc. These are situations we see very often, and as an educated university student, you always give a helpful hand. These are some small acts which can help people and by helping them you feel content in return. Sometimes, the bigger thing you help, the bigger happiness you gain in return.
YOU CAN RELATE
Giving seats to pregnant women, elderly and the disabled is a common thing we always do, but some people don't (I've seen a lot). Some may think that those elderly are not old and weak enough; some think that they are exhausted too, so why don't they deserve to sit?
Let me tell my own experience. Last August, I had a surgery done in my knee to repair my ligament. After staying in the hospital for some time, I left and started my daily life with my crutches for more than two months. I took buses almost everyday because I still needed to attend classes and go to the hospital three times a week to do physiotherapy, and this was how I was genuinely surprised. Many people don't know to give seats. I didn't know if people think that I was too young to be let a seat, but the point was: I was using two crutches. Of course there were many times people acted kindly and I appreciate that, but still there were some people who turned a blind eye to you: they glimpsed at you, then looked away.
There was also one time when I got on the bus, the seats of which were all occupied but not crowded, with my crutches, I met my friend who was using crutches too because of his bone fracture. His injury seemed to be more severe than mine - he couldn't wear shoe because his whole foot was wrapped. He did NOT have a seat! We got a seat only after a few stations when some people got off the bus. I was entirely dumbfounded and astonished by the selfishness and inconsideration of the people.
After the two-month experience, I am even more eager to give up my seat whenever I saw the needy, because I can relate. I can feel how difficult and tough it is for an elderly with weak bones and muscles to stand on a bus. I know how it feels like to be ignored and given a cold eye. Everyone can relate. One day, you or your family member may need help; you may encounter the same scenario, and at that moment, how do you want people to treat you? There was one time I encountered the same situation again - the bus was crowded and the red seats were all occupied by mothers with their very young kids, except two on which seated a mother and her teenage daughter. The two of them didn't give their seats. Then one mother stood up, gave her seat to me, and voiced out. She said, "How can a mother educate her daughter like this? Not knowing how to give a seat? One day you will know. You will encounter the same situation, and no one, like yourself, will give a seat to you." Same passengers echoed, but still the pair remained silent. I was moved, but at the same time quite embarrassed and I didn't know what to say except thank you. I think the woman's words are some kind of karma-thinking: how you will be treated depends on how good you act. For me, I just think that one should treat others how you want to be treated.
Here is a clip from a series of TV show called "What Would You Do" by the ABC News. In every episode, they set hidden cameras to record how people react to different situations like "sick grandma can't afford medication", "sexual harassment at diner" and some more about discrimination and bullying. They are inspirational, touching and really worth a watch.
As learned in class, leadership is not about leading or getting to a high position; it's about serving people and that's what we call servant leadership. A servant leader puts others' needs in front of his own. He or she is aware of others' situations; he or she empathizes, listens and gives help. To put it into practice, first we need to observe, then act to help.
Every day, we see people in need of help: your classmate forgets to bring her pen; needy cannot find seats on the bus; people loading with heavy stuff and don't have a hand to open a door, etc. These are situations we see very often, and as an educated university student, you always give a helpful hand. These are some small acts which can help people and by helping them you feel content in return. Sometimes, the bigger thing you help, the bigger happiness you gain in return.
YOU CAN RELATE
Giving seats to pregnant women, elderly and the disabled is a common thing we always do, but some people don't (I've seen a lot). Some may think that those elderly are not old and weak enough; some think that they are exhausted too, so why don't they deserve to sit?
Let me tell my own experience. Last August, I had a surgery done in my knee to repair my ligament. After staying in the hospital for some time, I left and started my daily life with my crutches for more than two months. I took buses almost everyday because I still needed to attend classes and go to the hospital three times a week to do physiotherapy, and this was how I was genuinely surprised. Many people don't know to give seats. I didn't know if people think that I was too young to be let a seat, but the point was: I was using two crutches. Of course there were many times people acted kindly and I appreciate that, but still there were some people who turned a blind eye to you: they glimpsed at you, then looked away.
There was also one time when I got on the bus, the seats of which were all occupied but not crowded, with my crutches, I met my friend who was using crutches too because of his bone fracture. His injury seemed to be more severe than mine - he couldn't wear shoe because his whole foot was wrapped. He did NOT have a seat! We got a seat only after a few stations when some people got off the bus. I was entirely dumbfounded and astonished by the selfishness and inconsideration of the people.
After the two-month experience, I am even more eager to give up my seat whenever I saw the needy, because I can relate. I can feel how difficult and tough it is for an elderly with weak bones and muscles to stand on a bus. I know how it feels like to be ignored and given a cold eye. Everyone can relate. One day, you or your family member may need help; you may encounter the same scenario, and at that moment, how do you want people to treat you? There was one time I encountered the same situation again - the bus was crowded and the red seats were all occupied by mothers with their very young kids, except two on which seated a mother and her teenage daughter. The two of them didn't give their seats. Then one mother stood up, gave her seat to me, and voiced out. She said, "How can a mother educate her daughter like this? Not knowing how to give a seat? One day you will know. You will encounter the same situation, and no one, like yourself, will give a seat to you." Same passengers echoed, but still the pair remained silent. I was moved, but at the same time quite embarrassed and I didn't know what to say except thank you. I think the woman's words are some kind of karma-thinking: how you will be treated depends on how good you act. For me, I just think that one should treat others how you want to be treated.
Here is a clip from a series of TV show called "What Would You Do" by the ABC News. In every episode, they set hidden cameras to record how people react to different situations like "sick grandma can't afford medication", "sexual harassment at diner" and some more about discrimination and bullying. They are inspirational, touching and really worth a watch.