Recently I read an Allegory (that I have copied below) about unselfishness that really helps us understand the circle of life as it was originally designed. This principle remnant can be seen in the book of nature. How often do we stop to think what a favor the trees are doing for us so that we can breathe? Or what we naturally do for them? How easily the birds sing for our benefit and the flowers bloom without asking for a penny? If this principle was lived out by all in every area of life what a different world this would be.
“One time a Rabbi asked to see Heaven and Hell. His wish was granted and he was taken to a room where everyone was seated at a long dinner table with delicious food in front of them. However, everyone there was starving and emaciated. This was because, the Rabbi discovered, while each had a long spoon strapped to his or her wrist, the spoon was so long they could not pick up the food and actually put it in their mouths. They were utterly frustrated and bitterly unhappy. The Rabbi was told that this is Hell.
He was then taken to another room with everyone seated at an identical long table with delicious food, and each individual also had a long spoon strapped to his or her wrist. These people, however, were well-fed, for they had learned that their spoons were perfectly designed to allow them to feed each other, which they were doing quite naturally. They were joyous, happy, and contented. The Rabbi was told that this is Heaven.” — Author Unknown
Maybe each of us can have a little bit of heaven on earth by having it start with us.