GETTING ALONG WITH OTHERS

He was a brilliant writer, a persuasive orator, a dynamic organizer, and a student of human personality. The centuries have not produced another like him. I'm speaking of the Apostle Paul. This little man from Tarsus has left a legacy of work which has enriched all of Western civilization. Truly, this diminutive man is a towering giant of history.

Today, I would like to emphasize a power packed sentence which he wrote to the church at church at Corinth 1900 years ago. "I adapt myself to all men without considering my own advantage, but considering their advantage." This is a two line Prescription on how to get along with others. If this were unusually practiced the world would be transformed over night. To adjust to the other person without thought of personal gain is easily said, but it is almost impossible to do.

Most of us think about our feelings, our needs, and our ambitions, when we are with others. This is the natural thing to do. But as we are sensitive enough to get beyond ourselves and learn to serve the needs of the other person, viola! Wonderful things happen. Here is where Namasté enters the scene. This consciousness acknowledges the other as an expression of God. It is then that attitudes change.

An insurance salesman I know was about to starve. He just couldn't get anyone to sign a contract. One day he realized that when he was trying to sell he was thinking only of his own needs. The client sensed this immediately. He was trying to use the other man for his own selfish interest. His self-centeredness stood in his way. He started looking from the perspective of the other man's needs. He studied insurance from how it could help his client. Whether the prospect bought a policy or not didn't matter. He was performing a service. He sought to be in sacred service. It worked!

When he adopted this attitude he became a successful salesman almost immediately. He grew up enough to think first of the other fellow and to see that individual's scared nature. Paul said it well, "I adapt myself to all men without considering my own advantage, but their advantage." Good advice 1900 years ago. Good advice today.

Dr. Fred McCoun

Namasté Life

A Synergy of Love Light and Prayer