Not being dependent on results is the secret to performing one’s duties well and reaping benefits
We hear a lot about doing our duties to be successful in life. let us get clarity about this word. It is defined as doing everything that one is expected to do, which can be expanded as: Whatever best one can do under the circumstances. WhyIJ Because duty always depends on time, place and circumstances. Duty can never be to ensure a particular result.
A coach can prepare a team well but he cannot ensure that his team will be victorious; the other team could be better prepared. A doctor can treat a seriously sick patient to the best of his ability, but cannot ensure that the patient will survive. The patient has to respond to the treatment. Someone publishes a book, which he thinks is a good one, but he cannot have any idea that it will be a bestseller. Does that not depend on readersIJ Someone drives his car carefully, but can he eliminate all possibilities of an accidentIJ This man stops at a red-light and someone who is following him bumps into his car; this other person has not seen the red light because he was busy talking on his phone.
Our problems begin when we get attached to particular results. This can also be seen from the following examples. Some parents desperately seek a son and in this endeavour get many daughters, whom they are unable to bring up properly due to money and time constraints. We want our team to win, no matter how good the other team is. What happensIJ We suffer a lot of anxiety while the match is in progress. A boy gets besotted to a girl, who does not fancy him. This boy suffers a lot of frustration, if not humiliation, if he tries to get close to her. A businessman dreams of reaching the top of his line but his circumstances like the lacking adequate resources and competent manpower does not permit it. And the last example is that of an actor who has limited talent. His desires to reach the top in his business can bring a lot of heartache. In this process, we bind ourselves, and such attachments/bondages give us a lot of unnecessary sufferings. Parents should welcome whoever comes naturally and thank God for that. We should enjoy a good game no matter who wins. Boys should seek love from those who are receptive. Any businessman should thank his stars if his business can be profitable. Similarly, an actor should be happy if he can earn enough for his upkeep; very few can do that in the highly competitive film line.
Before I end this article, let me acquaint you briefly about the ways to become dutiful and its benefits. First taking up the ways, one should realise that not performing duty is sinful. One should follow one’s nature. This way it becomes easy to complete one’s duty. One should realise that the human species is meant to be dutiful. As mentioned earlier, one should not allow attachment or even aversion to come in the way of being dutiful. One should never be attached to inaction too. And, last but not least, one should know that God is also worshiped by performing one’s duties.
Now let me take up the benefits of being dutiful. One will motivate others to do likewise. One does not get sinful reactions while engaged in duty. One is likely to achieve success by being properly engaged in performing one’s duties. More responsibilities and trust are bestowed and one becomes productive. Human life is well utilised. Once dependency is avoided, one also begins to get support from others.