You, of course, remember one of our rich people was taking pensioners to Sevan for a barbecue and then broadcasting a one-hour TV show where these elderly people in multiple ways thank their “benefactor.” I cannot recall whether this action had any political and electoral campaign sub-context or not but, in my opinion, it is of no big significance. If you actually compel people to thank you, it is probably not a charity. It is a trade. It is the same as you go to the temple and say, Lord God, I have done so many good works, grant me an “Infinity” for it. This is also a trade, it seems to me that the profit-motivated goodness is not goodness.
I understand, of course, that everything is subjective, each person decides at his own on how to build his own spiritual life but, in my perception, the true charity is when you not only expect any gratitude but also the person whom you have stretched a helpful hand has no chance to express his gratitude. And this is possible when it is carried out without mentioning the name of the “benefactor”.
Such a laudable initiative is the action of distributing free bread to the pensioners. Everything is very simple: you spend 2-3 hundreds of drams for buying bread and put it in the designated place. (This initiative also operates in Armenia). At the supermarkets where there are cash, cameras and security officers, it is very easy to organize, I am sure that half of the customers can afford to spend this 2-3 hundred drams. When an elderly man comes to take this bread, you should not ask him whether he has relevant points of “Paros”. Let his children be millionaires, if he needs to take a free bread then let him take it.
It is necessary not only the pensioners, it is necessary for all of us, first of all, to realize that extremely needy people are living alongside us, and also to raise the self-assessment. It is a better form of self-establishment rather than complaining, blaming and swearing. Ultimately, the most appraising thing in this initiative is that the elderly man who is taking the bread has no opportunity to thank you, you grant him joy completely unselfishly.
… Recently, I read about an intellectual experience. Suppose, you’ are in the train of the metro looking at people’s faces and imagine that each of them has received a gift that he has dreamt in his lifetime. You will notice that the people’s facial expressions are changing. To better, of course.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
