Privilege Creates An Obligation

Feb 27, 2022 | knowledge | 1 comment

Many of us are fortunate and privileged in many ways. Even as we have and enjoy things in life, sometimes taking them for granted because they come easily to us, we need to always be mindful of others who may not be as fortunate. Being privileged is a blessing, and when we reflect on our good fortune, we will realise that privilege creates an unwritten obligation on us.

Being privileged makes us trustees of the wealth and resources at our disposal. Even though we may have ownership on paper, we need to view our privilege as an opportunity to put to good use what we are blessed with. It doesn’t mean we deny ourselves a good life. It just means that we include those not as fortunate as us in our prosperity. Making a difference to someone is a real privilege.

It makes us available to help others solve their problems and share their burden. We may need to step out of our comfort zone and get involved with things that may be challenging, and sometimes unpleasant. But privilege is an enabler, a luxury a lot of people may not have. And when we do reach out, we will realise that easing someone’s pain is a real privilege.

The value of anything multiplies manifold when we share it with others. When we view our privilege as a privilege for others as well, we discover a newfound meaning in what we have. Opening our hearts and including others to partake with us things that we are fortunate to have is a real privilege.

The way we live has consequences for others and particularly for the environment. Just because we can afford something doesn’t make it the right thing to do. Privilege puts an obligation on us to live in a responsible manner. When we make conscious choices, we will realise that living in a nurturing manner and caring for the future generation is a privilege.

One may well wonder what is wrong in enjoying our privileges as long as we are not harming anyone else, and what is the need to go beyond. There’s nothing wrong, and one could well live that way, except that we would have missed out on an enriching aspect of life, of sharing and giving. And when we realise that, we will realise the simple truth – it is not what we have, but what we can do with what we have that is a real privilege.

(Picture-morning light in Lonavala)

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1 Comment

  1. Yes very true one may be privileged but those previlsges shared with others will immense happiness and enjoyment of living life with utter happiness. Heart will be fully feeled

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