Relationships between people are often fraught with unpredictable variables. Sometimes, your kindness and help are like a piece of sugar, sweet and short-lived, and once consumed, the satisfaction it brings dissipates. What's worse is that when your kindness is accepted, instead of being appreciated, you may be misunderstood, taken advantage of, or even betrayed.
This phenomenon is not uncommon in our lives. You may have helped a colleague at work only to be blamed later on for not doing better, or you may have selflessly supported a friend in your life, only to find that your kindness was taken for granted or even ignored when you needed help. These experiences can undoubtedly be disappointing and heartbreaking.
That's not to say we shouldn't do good deeds or help others. The question is how we should properly deal with our good deeds and how to maintain peace of mind in the face of incomprehension and ingratitude.
We need to recognize that good deeds are inherently unrewarded. True good deeds are done out of inner kindness and compassion for others, not in exchange for gratitude or benefits. When we help others, we should let go of expectations so that we don't feel lost or hurt even if we don't get the expected response.
We should learn to discern those who are truly worthy of our help. Some people may keep asking for it because of their greed and selfishness, they don't know how to be grateful, and they will only endlessly challenge your bottom line. Putting too much kindness and energy into such a person is often in vain. Therefore, we need to be selective in our efforts to help those who truly need it and who know how to appreciate it.
We should strengthen our sense of self-protection. While helping others, we also need to learn to set boundaries and protect ourselves from being used and harmed. This does not mean that we should be cold and unforgiving, but that we should be vigilant and wise while remaining kind.
We need to learn to forgive and let go. When our kindness is not reciprocated, don't hold grudges, but learn to let go. Forgive those who don't know how to be grateful, and at the same time let go of your own expectations for the outcome. In this way, we can maintain our inner peace and goodness and continue to shine in this world.
Virtuous deeds are a virtue, but they also require wisdom and discernment. In this world of demand, we must learn to protect ourselves while also maintaining the goodness and purity of our hearts. Only in this way can we maintain our hearts and minds in complex interpersonal relationships and continue to transmit positive energy.