Affordable Values -- Not Selflessness

Mahatma Gandhi is my personal hero. Now there's someone who used the power of his personality and example to make monumental impact.

Here is a picture of his possessions when he died:

Photo from Reddit.

This is quite a stark image, and it's hard to consider a life of such asceticism for ourselves – and that's great, because that's worth emphasizing. That kind of lifestyle is not common, or normal, or desirable to most of us in today's world. And that's OK: we are all striving for different things, and maybe for simpler lives at different levels, but we're striving. That is what saves the world... the combination of all the little efforts of millions.

What's fun is that he was aware of the indirect costs of his lifestyle.

"I have friends who keep telling me how much it costs them to keep me in poverty." -Gandhi

Unfortunately, that minimalism is what most people think about when they hear the message to give to others. Some say that it's virtuous to repress one's own desires in order to attend to others.

On the contrary, the lack of self-care leads to many more problems. In 2022, 46% of health workers reported often feeling burned out. Although their dedication may have saved lives, an unsustainable lifestyle will hurt us all; with so much pressure on workers, they are looking at leaving the profession, and there's a projected shortage of 54,100-139,000 physicians by 2033. There is always need for more attention, but from the moral and humane perspective: nobody ethical is going to force someone else to sacrifice their lives for their own benefit.

Nobody should sacrifice to the point that they cannot sustain their livelihoods, or their family's livelihood. Everyone gives at a level at which they're comfortable. That's enough. Sure, it's worthwhile to give at an uncomfortable level for the benefit of personal growth, but never to a point that jeopardizes health and sanity. Giving what we can is good enough.

As a matter of fact, even Gandhi and Mother Theresa would not give up what is most meaningful to them: their outspokenness and their relationships.

The gradual accumulation of gifts happily given – because we love the result – is what will build the future world, little-by-little.

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