TRANSACTIONAL WORLD

 

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

A focused professional understanding the transactional world / Photo Courtesy / Cottonbro Studio

Give Me Something

Honesty is gradually depleting in modern world. Everything has become transactional. From the way parents are raising their children to friendship. Nothing is free. There is always something beneath and above. Almost everyone wants something from the other. Children these days are paid to obey. They have to be coerced to perform their simple functions. A function that several years back did not need a remainder. It occurred naturally. Children knew their place. They always knew almost organically that they were under someone. As a result, they had to listen to know their way around life. Nobody asked a child in the past few years to respect. They knew how to respect their parents and elders. They learned these simple habits at home or school. A typical child listens to instructions. And allows those instructions whether from a parent, teacher, or elder in the community to guide his or her conduct.

A child does not argue with his/her instructors. A normal child obeys. A typical child listens. A normal child implements those simple instructions because he/she knows his life depends on it. Children grew up knowing the voice of their shepherd. And they remained on track. They went to school and paid attention to what the teacher said. Most children from the past few years. Excelled in their academics. They excelled because of discipline and obedience.  Their obedience and discipline were genuine. It came from the bottom of their hearts. They did not need to be beaten to develop it. They knew what they needed. And they listened. And somehow, in the murky waters of life. They found their path. Though they struggled with a few other things. But they had the foundation. One that could call them back every time they strayed.

We miss this genuineness in modern life. Where people do things out of the goodness of their hearts. We miss this genuine concern. Where people were fully invested in others. When greetings really meant something. When someone asked ‘how are you doing?’ He or she really meant it. Someone was interested in your welfare. But look at us now. Full of our own human intelligence to an extent that we seem to forget the next closest person to us. Our needs have surpassed the neighbor. Greetings in modern life are not as genuine as they used to be. People say ‘hi’ as a means to an end. Some greet you because they don’t want to appear bad. And some to do it because they want something from you. If there is something one can benefit from greeting, you. He or she will do it voluntarily.

Bystander Effect

A beautiful hard working executive changing the world / Photo / Karola Kaboom

However, in most occasions. People are only interested in what works for them. The bystander effect is just so bad in modern life. A crowd is willing to watch a man or woman die. Then, talk about it. It is much easier to talk about the pain than preventing the discomfort. The crowd had the capacity to help a man or woman who was dying. However, there was no initiative. Not even one person from the crowd thought of helping. So they all just stand and watch another human being suffer. The only initiative that comes out of the bystander effect, is someone pulling out his or her Smartphone to document the pain. Then, he or she would take another person’s vulnerable moments and post them on social media. And have that pain and struggle receive highest distribution. At the expense of the person suffering. What is the point of documenting an injustice if you can take action?

What is easier? Calling 911 during an emergency or taking videos and photos. A person that had the audacity to document the pain of another person on their mobile phone. Missed an opportunity to help a vulnerable person. The primary reason such a person missed the chance is because; he or she could not immediately see the benefit. There has to be something in there for them. However, in circumstances where the crowd does not see what benefits it. It just stands there watching. We have lost the agency. Ten people could not see that the person suffering is one of them. The crowd does not feel the pain of the man or woman dying. And as a result, it does not take action. Each individual in the crowd was waiting for the other to act first. But none developed courage to actually take action. Modern society has burdens.  

Heavy ones for that matter. The duty of care flipped out of people’s minds. And they are only left with justifications. Some will tell you they are not doctors or nurses. So why should they care? And by the time, they will be done with their explanations. Even you will be half way convinced that it was not their responsibility. That is what human intelligence does to people. It gives them many reasons and words to get away from murder. Human intelligence has justified being transactional. People have no problem benefiting from the pain or joy of another person. In fact, they are very comfortable whether they are children or adults. Someone is always benefiting from something. whether it is your sorrows or happiness. That is how far modern society has traveled. It no longer cares that the other person is a human being too.

Corruption Has Darkened the World

Hard working men discussing a transaction / Photo / Daniel's Richard

As long as, it is not them feeling the pain. People will do anything to get what they want.  Lies have become very common. A child will not hesitate to lie. As long as, that lie benefits him or her. Corruption has not spared anyone. Children and adults alike are all corrupted. It is hard to tell who is honest. Even when someone tells you they love you. It is hard to determine whether they love you the person or things that surround you. But I can make it easy for you. Majority of people who say they love you are actually confused.

They cannot choose between you and your possessions. So they hide that confusion in one term. So they say, they love you. When what they actually meant to say is, they love your material things. They love what you can do for them with the material things. Money is attractive. And it is capable to turning the world upside down. You will end up with a long line of people praising you. Singing your name. And telling others what you can do. They suddenly know who can help when they have a problem. But expect surprises when the tide change.

When it will be you on the other end of the line needing their help. You will not have a long line. There will be one or two. And even that one or two will get tired very soon. So don’t be quick to reciprocate love from fake people. Don’t be gullible. There are only three people who love you genuinely. And one of those people is your mother. This is the only person who will stick with till the end. A mother’s love is long-lasting. It weathers seasons. This love. You can be guaranteed of it. Because a good mother loves like Jesus. And blessed are you. If you have that kind of mother. One that can forget about her own pain and focus on yours. These moments are gradually becoming rare. Living in a transactional world is stealing from us. We have lost fundamental foundations of life. Life begins with love. Love from the deepest depths of our hearts. But it seems, even those deepest depths have dried up.