Respect for Life

Ask anyone on the street what he would like to be. It is not suprising that the answer you hear might be like these: a movie star, a lawyer or a doctor. Pride is one of the reasons and money could be another. Don’t forget, money talks. A lot of us work day and night, not because we cannot take our eyes of our job but because work means more money. Moreover, one stands higher on the social ladder if one is a doctor and lawyer. However, you might be very surprised to hear that for one famous person, money and fame meant nothing. He said “no” to both of them; instead, he became a missionary, whose job was to spread God’s word. He was Albert Schweitzer.

Dr. Schweitzer had a talent for music and could have practiced as a doctor in Germany, where he was born. Like most of us, great people have a dream. The difference lies in the fact that they make their dreams come true. Dr. Schweitzer decided that “reverence for life” was what our world needed and he put his belief into practice. He found a place where he thought he was most needed: he went to Lambarene, Gabon in Africa. There he set up a hospital where he took care of sick people with love. He asked for nothing in return. He was simply doing what he believed: showing respect for life.

Buddhism teaches us to “let go.” However, taking it easy is easier said than done. For many people, money and fame mean everything and they are even willing to die for them. Are they happy? Dr. Schweitzer didn’t have lots of fortune and fame, but it seems he was quite happy with his life.

Max-Getting more money doesn’t mean your life is better. Many people work only because of getting more money, but don’t respect their lives. Many people want to do many dangerous things for money, and there lives could be worthless to them. Albert is a famous person, but he said money and fame are worthless. He knows that you need to respect for life. In his life, he helped many poor people in many poor countries, and open a hospital to help them. He didn’t want any money for them to pay for him, and he knows they are poor and needs more help and love.

Albert’s life is very happy, and he knows not to let lives worthless, and even other people too. So we need to think and help for others, not only thinking for ourselves.