By Jan Vicente B. Pekas
As we have our own needs to satisfy, getting rewards for a task is normal. Whether that reward is money or favor, being thanked for something we do fills us with a bit of joy inside.
However, when it comes to our duties, no reward nor amount of money can motivate us to finish these. Obligation can vary from one person to another, but as children it is our duty to give back to our parents, as citizens to defend our country, and as servants of God to love each other. But as a child who grew up with the monetary help of Zigzag Weekly, I have come to realize my duty to assist and help this small company. And in writing articles for weeks now, gratitude fills me every time I see my contribution.
Duty doesn’t have to be limited to helping the needy, assisting the drivers whose cars are stuck on the road, or even giving directions to tourists as all these are parts of our obligations as fellow citizens of this country.
But sooner or later, we will hit our limit, there are only so few in this world who can consistently finish hard tasks and be content with no rewards. Therefore, there are times when we must prioritize our duty to ourselves. To take care of our mental and physical health is our responsibility. These need constant attention till the day we die. So, if there is no one to reward us, we treat ourselves. There is nothing wrong in doing ourselves a favor, but when we neglect others’ concerns in pursuit of our own agenda, it results in selfishness.
And when we continue to work hard in accomplishing our responsibilities, a reward must surely exist. But as someone who has not even lived 20 years on this earth, I cannot say whether the benefits will be worth it. However, even with my limited experience, I can confidently say that the smile and the words “thank you” are more than perfect a reward for opening a door for a lady.
The amount of joy the words “thank you” fills us is immense, it keeps us going. It makes many of us motivated to do good things just for the pleasure it brings, and look away from the euphoria of drugs.
Maybe it’s due to our human flaws, but no matter how dedicated we are to our duties, we still expect a reward. While others will be satisfied with money, some will look for something more special. Which is why we must continue to look at the present, nothing can make the future come faster, and the small rewards we get along the way can sustain us in the long run.
And after accomplishing our many duties to ourselves and to those around us, like seeds it will sprout someday, and with it is our prize. But whether the reward will be worth it or not, we can only decide when we will see it for ourselves. So for now, we’ll have to make do with a “Thank you”. **
