Intentions & Actions

Food for thought

Added: Friday, 6 March 2009

Question: What is more important, the 'act' or the 'intention' behind the act?

Take the following scenario. A couple is really busy and highly career oriented. They have a baby, but find it hard to give the child the attention, love, justice and discipline it deserves. Instead, they spoil it with toys and clothes and things so as to combat their feelings of guilt. Another couple spoils their child for other reasons completely. They give the child time, attention and love but simply cannot resist spoiling it with material things as well. Two different motivations, same action – but will it amount to the same outcome? Can the child who is spoiled for love be detached from material things?

I like this particular example, because my grandmother was a person who spoiled me rotten. Except I don't think I'm that rotten. I'll give you one example of what she would do and still does. I was visiting my family in Europe, it was winter and she was very ill and weak. I mentioned in passing, that avocados are amazing and that we have great avocados back in Africa. I went to check my emails and when I looked up from my computer and out of the window, I saw my frail little grandma pulling a heavy shopping cart filled avocados. God knows where she found them in the middle of winter. For me, her intentions have always stood out far beyond the material things she has given me. For me, the fact that she pushed her own physical boundaries to show me her love was far more effective than the possible consequence of becoming spoiled. I really don't think I've ever taken my blessings for granted.

Of course, I stand to be corrected.