Kulthoughts
It has always been an intriguing term, “involvement”. It’s awesome to be involved, yes. But only so long as it remains prudent, makes sense and doesn’t eat into you.
And there are a great many things each of us would like to be involved with, in the various intersecting circles of life we all live as a part of. At work, in sports, in community, in learning, in family, among friends and nonetheless, with your own selves. We feel great about ourselves when we get involved, are recognized upon being involved and even sometimes, be seen as involved when we’re not!
Why does one get involved at all? It is always to contribute something – what, doesn’t matter all that much. It could be ideas, money or personal attention by way of time or efforts. Involvement of any kind begets us some kind of social standing, a degree of acceptance and even admiration. The reasons people get involved are also many – it could be solely for personal satisfaction, emotional gratification or some kind of self actualization or it may even build a case to qualify and contest for a position.
Whatever the purpose, it stays relevant till the time you retain interest or till the time it provides you what you got involved for, in the first place. In either case, one needs to realize in time how much to stay involved and how much to contribute. Anything in abundance loses its value or is taken for granted. More so in the social scenario, and even more pronounced within you family, as I have personally observed.
It all begins at home, where the heart is. Your family, actually. The more you do as a parent or a spouse is taken as the better. But the fun stops when it is never enough. Take your spouse to dine and dance on occasions and it gets appreciated. Do it every weekend and not only is the fun element gone, but the expenses you incur comes to love’s labor lost. Do the dishes once in a way, but let nobody make it a habit getting it done by you. If this happens, who’s to blame? It’s only you!
Too much of anything is bad. Life is a give and take tale and goes into imbalance if either of “give” or “take” tips over too much. The cardinal rule of doing anything at all is to first ensure the purpose of doing it. Not only this, over-involvement in one aspect of life naturally reduces your involvement in another and this throws your life out of all equilibrium. Family comes first, so long as they keep you that way too. Work comes next, to just the extent required.
The most important aspect of all this is, being involved with yourself in adequate measure too. Never compromise on the “what’s in it for me” aspect or your “me time” and “what I personally love doing / who I personally love being with” part, or your own kith and kin will take you for granted, and you’ll have only yourself to blame for it. Don’t give too much of you away. You’re not up for grabs!
Therefore, my friend … limit your involvement to just as much as so you don’t lose yourself – either at work or in the family. Keep enough of you for yourself, too. For the things you love doing. For the friends you love to spend time with. And it’ll all be worth your while. While you’re considered in your own worth too: not cheaply!
It all goes to say, “Never take anyone for granted—not even yourself!”
Be involved without getting entangled !
Do what you love to do, also love whatever you do !
Very true. Even I feel that too much involvement is harmful. Very well written. Worth pondering
Apt subject matter in today’s world of opportunists. The challenge is to know to what extent one should be involved to be not taken for granted and yet maintaining the relationship.