There are situations in life when our principles and values are challenged. Sometimes we find the strength of courage and conviction to stand by them and sometimes we feel we have no choice and need to compromise. Our failing is not in giving in, but not trying. I am reminded of an interesting experience with a corrupt tax inspector.
Our refund was stuck for several months and on enquiring my accountant informed me that the inspector was expecting a bribe, which my accountant knew we would not pay. Knowing the system, the first ‘practical’ thought was maybe we should pay the small amount and get the refund. In my quiet time, I had the thought of going and meeting the inspector.
I walked into his office with my accountant and very politely said to him that I had come to explain to him why we could not pay him. I said we don’t run a business, we are trying to build a country. The taxes we generate, through his hands as the tax department, will find their way to the villages of India to build better roads, waterlines, healthcare and education, so that a child in a village gets the same opportunity as him and me in moving ahead in life. I told him he and I were partners for a greater good.
Something very interesting happened. He started telling me about all the charity he did in life, apologised for having asked for money and assured us that the refund would get processed which he promptly did. I realised several things that day.
If I had fought his corruption with my anger, his corruption would have won. If I had responded to his corruption with my fear, his corruption would have won. But if I responded to his corruption with goodness, and appealed to the goodness in him, I had the best chance of winning.
In life, we have two options. We can either lower ourselves and find an easy way out, or we can raise the vision of the relationship and find the right way forward. Our willingness and ability to at least try our best unleashes creativity and positivity which we ourselves didn’t realise existed in us. The path may take longer and can be testing, but it keeps unfolding our inner strength and beauty.
Our life will be measured by the choices we made. We all aspire for a better quality life. When we think about this long enough, we will realise that to raise the standard of our life, we don’t need to lower ourselves.
(Picture-Bottlebrush blooming in our garden, announcing the arrival of spring)
Its so true unfortunately people prefer the easy way out these days.