The real fruits of Social Service

The real fruits of Social Service

Everyone likes to be known as a good person. Some one widely respected and well thought of by one and all…

But how many are ready to bear the burden of the duties that come with it and/or shoulder the responsibilities it entails? When the applause rings, we all wish to be at the receiving end, acknowledging the kudos with mock humility. But are we ready to trek the miles from plan to fruition?

The truth is a sad negative. The reality is a lot uglier than, it appears on the surface. The smiling faces that appear in the media and pictures as records of history, often hide the truth of undeserved appreciation. To be seen but not having to bear can be a very enjoyable experience. But one fact often missed is the query – who carried the donkey’s load? From the conception to the end, someone had to carry the weight of the work. Someone who is too tired to pose for the picture or to celebrate the success.

This is a very true aspect in almost all forms of social venture. These projects are set rolling with great enthusiasm and fanfare. There is a lot spoken and a lot of mutual shoulder patting. These are the days when there is a lot of talk of unitedly achieving the sky. These are commitments that evaporate the moment the flash lights go off.

Then it is the time for the slaves. The hard toil begins, along with the prices to be paid. Criticisms galore, until the flowers bloom. There are times when even personal belongings need to be sold to pay for the essentials. These are the times when those smiling faces and receivers of the applause suddenly get a deaf ear, with an inability to hear or see. Their cell phones are suddenly unreachable and they personally achieve the miraculous ability to be invisible. The slaves carry the burden, trudge even more and may have to even sell their priced belongings. The timelines are only for them….

And then, after the toil, tears and trauma, come the sweetness of success. The invisibles suddenly become very visible. The flashlights come back, the smiles and word of appreciation, more shoulder patting. If social service were a commercial venture, this bravo group would be the ultimate success stories. Profiting without even investing.

And slaves will forever be slaves.