Selflessness: The Mark of a True Patriot

The word patriot signifies a person who loves his or her country and is ready to boldly support and defend it. In our country, we can find this likeness with our heroes who fought and defended our country from the tyranny and abuse of the rulers during their times. Even at the expense of their lives, they brought change and new order in our country resulting to the freedom that we are experiencing today.

If we examine our heroes and patriots around the world, what can we see as their common denominator? All have marks of selflessness. They did not just think of their welfare but primarily the welfare of others round about them. They are altruistic by the way they dedicated their lives without asking for anything in return from those who would benefit from it. They did not look for their personal gain. An athlete said, “A hero is not someone who does something courageous when he has nothing to lose and something to gain, but rather, he is the one who acts well when he has nothing to gain and everything to lose.” Selfless acts do not ask for anything in return, but desires the betterment of its recipient. Serving our nation, whether in public or private, do require selflessness. One who is selfless will not even think of putting the public or organizational funds in his or her own coffers, nor use it other than for its purpose. That is why laws have been placed so that those who do not know the thin line would have boundaries. Say for example the Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. It provides for commitment to public interest reminding us that people who work in the government must uphold the public interest over and above personal interest. Same is true for private corporations. Some private corporations do have their Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or Corporation Code of Conduct to uphold their ethical principles for the protection of the interests of both the company and its employees.

Being selfless is easy to say but only a few really captures its deep essence. As a great example of selflessness, let us look into a loving parent’s character. Have you heard of the story about the selfless father? During the time of famine, a father who was able to look for food divided the provision equally between him and his children. Because of hunger, his children immediately consumed their food and only his share was left on the table. His stomach was grumbling because he hadn’t eaten anything that day. But looking at his children still hungry, with love and pity, he took the bread and instead of eating it, distributed it to them. This is the selflessness we can see from loving parents. Who would not want to see their children in a better condition and successful? Or would a parent rather see them worn out, suffering, and being ridiculed by people? Loving parents look for the welfare of their children, and possibly give their best to them. This can only happen when true love is present. As the saying goes, true love is selfless. It is prepared to sacrifice.

Ultimately, we can always look at the best example - Jesus who selflessly gave his life so that each one of us could live our lives abundantly. To live in selflessness does not mean that we deprive ourselves of what is due us, but to embrace the principle of looking into the welfare of others and deeply caring for people who are in need, helpless, and lost. Delai Lama said, “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” Joseph Campbell also said, “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” The Holy Scriptures in Philippians encourages us also, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Selfless is a key to fulfill the second greatest commandment - to love others as ourselves. Jesus Christ laid His life so that we could walk on his example to love others - He laid his life for all humanity.

How about you? What are your stories of selflessness? (CGLG, CRFV)