History: He was in inter-organisational committee a few years ago, that was an umbrella body for several organisations. He was from a certain federation. Due to some differences with it, he formed another association. As the representative for the community that both that federation and his association were part of, he had the power to decide who from this community can join the umbrella body. He rejected the applications of many from the federation. The rejections were so many that the rest of the umbrella body’s committee had to enquire why this was so.

He then let some applications be approved. To his surprise, during an AGM, the federation members outvoted the 4 seats that he used to control, leaving only 1 for him. He wanted 1 more to be ‘equal’ – 2 federation members with/versus 2 association members. This was rejected. To that, he decided to relinquish his seat. For a few more AGMs, his association’s members tried to get 2 seats (again), due to not wanting to compromise having equal power – to no avail. Stuck in futile rebirths! (Any similarity to any real-life cases is coincidental.)

Lessons: (1) Even when one has different views, there is no need to demonise others. When one ostracises others, others will tend to ostracise one. This is karma! (2) When you give way slightly to your principles, it might be the beginning of trouble. It is better to stick to your principles if you are sure you are right. (3) One has to be mindful whether one is fighting out of ideological or personality differences, in the spirit of the truth or ego. (4) It is better to counts one’s blessings, to treasure what one has and work with them to increase them, than to abandon what one has because it seems little at the moment.

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