Two of the Muppet Show’s funnier characters are Statler and Waldorf, two old curmudgeons who disrupt proceedings with their heckling. While their behavior is humourous in the context of comedy, this kind of selfishness is no laughing matter in personal life. It can be destructive to friends, family, and coworkers.
Inspirational speakers like Dan Miller and Bryan Dodge say that the important question to effect change is not to focus on how to do it, but rather, one should focus on why the change should be made. They explain that if the focus is on the “why,” the “how” will come into view. What needs to be understood is why unselfishness is important enough to make the effort to overcome excuses for not changing. This inspiration can be found in reflecting on the message of a movie, thinking on the positive influence of other people and recalling the teaching of the Bible.
Pay It Forward Illustrates Unselfishness
First, the movie Pay It Forward shows that acts of kindness and unselfishness can reverberate to large numbers of people. In the movie, a seventh grade social studies teacher gives his class an assignment to come up with an idea that could change the world.
Trevor, who comes from a broken home with an alcoholic mother, comes up with a plan to do “something big” for three people, who will in turn do the same to three other people. Trevor generally thinks his plan is a bust when, over the short term, he doesn’t see results from others or from himself.
While to Trevor his results are mixed at best, unbeknownst to him he sets in motion a chain of events that impact people positively in several states and in his own family. His charge to “pay it forward” down the line causes a man to prevent a suicide, moves his mother to forgive her own mother, and motivates a convict to influence the lives of other prisoners. Trevor illustrates how one person can effect change in one's self and in others, ultimately impacting the entire world.
Individual Examples Can Motivate Change
Second, meditating on the unselfishness of others creates a desire to do as they do.
For example, many spouses sacrifice to make a home and provide encouragement during career challenges. Best friends give spiritual, emotional, and financial support. Mentors persevere when others have seemingly given up. People provide furniture, give unsolicited money, pay for airfare, and open their homes for long periods of time. Examples of personal unselfishness abound. Reflecting on these examples motivates others to follow suit.
The Bible Teaches Unselfishness
Studying what the Bible says about concern for others creates an understanding that reaching out is important to God. Ministering to others is at the top of God’s priority list. Jesus said to love one another (John 13:34, 35). Jesus himself came to serve and not be served (Matthew 20:28).
The apostle Paul exhorted his disciple Timothy to take what he had learned and give it to reliable people who will in turn do the same to others (II Timothy 2:1,2). God invented the idea of “paying it forward."
At the conclusion of Pay It Forward Trevor is honored by his friends, family and community for the impact of his unselfishness. Following his example and that of Jesus and other unselfish people can ultimately affect the whole world.
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