Everyone talks about the way the problem of graft and corruption is undermining our society but then when one is personally tempted, we charge our tune: saying ‘no’ becomes suddenly difficult and we look for all kinds of excuses to justify our actions. Strong conviction and will power are needed to overcome these temptations.
Take the case of a friend of mine who needed a motorcycle to beat the traffic to work and save on his car’s gasoline. He couldn’t afford it though. One day he made the mistake of mentioning this to one of the company suppliers he was dealing with. Since he was the purchasing manager, many suppliers were trying to win him over with a commission or gifts. So far, it had been quite easy to refuse such benefits and apply them to his company, as a discount. One day, however, he came home and found beautiful motorcycle. The challenge was a little so much! However, he thought about it for a while, and even though the temptation was there and the excuses sounded right – “after all, who will ever come to know,” “I badly need it;” “it will not change my attitude towards this supplier,” he decided to call the not – so – anonymous sender.
Imagine the astonishment of the person on the other end of the line when he was asked to send someday over the pick up the motorcycle right away. “But I thought you needed it,” the supplier exclaimed. “Of course, I do not need it, but I will buy one when I earn the money myself, and not in this way,”
The next day the motorcycle was gone. Later, he admitted how strongly he had been tempted to keep it, but not to the point that it could wipe away his convictions. However, if I had waited another day, maybe I wouldn’t have had the courage to say NO.”
Deep in our hearts we all have the courage to say NO, or better, the readiness to do what is right. Yet sometimes we need a reminder that it is with small but courageous acts like the one mentioned above. That we can hope to build a new future for our nation.