Thought for the day by Charles Handy on giving to others without the need for recognition. Handy begins the thought discussing how he received a letter from an old teacher whom he never thanked for the impact the teacher had on his life, which made him reflect on how teachers often do not get nor expect thanks from their students, and instead live vicariously through the successes of the students they have taught. He proceeds to claim that parents are the same way, wanting happiness for their children, not thanks from them. Handy then talks about how "thank yous" help in life, but that one shouldn't expect them, and advocates for the Hindu Chain of Giving idea, which states that one should give without the expectation of it coming back but with the hope that the recipient continues giving to others. In this, one’s generosity to others will eventually come back to them.
Handy, Charles B Hindu civilization Prime ministers
Source
Thought for the day by Charles Handy on giving to others without the need for recognition, May 23, 1995; Charles Handy Papers; Box 18, Folder 11; 1 page
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