Well sure. Love is the ultimate motivator for kindness. But that’s not the point I was making.

My argument is that if someone gives you something that not everyone else gets — say you win the lottery, or are randomly selected to receive a free vacation—the ideal response to that is also kindness.

I am using the word “privilege” to mean anything that you receive in life, that you didn’t personally earn, and that not everyone else receives. I think we can all agree that some countries have better living conditions than others, so being born a citizen of a particular country can be privilege. Health and lack of disability is another form of privilege. Inheritance is a gift from your family, which you did not personally earn, and which not everyone gets. Privilege.

I wrote this article to detail many of the blessings I’ve received in life. Things which I know many others do not receive. Inheritance, access to good education, a safe and secure childhood, family with the resources to be able to help with my business, etc. I made the argument that I would not have been as successful had I not received these gifts of privilege. Sure I worked hard and responded well to the situations I was presented with, but that’s not the point. The point is that my success is not solely the result of my own hard work.

If you have a problem with the idea of “privilege”, try using a different word or phrase like “blessings that not everyone receives.” And then ask yourself the following:

1. Am I able to acknowledge any areas where I have received blessings that not everyone in the world receives?
2. Am I able to acknowledge any areas where I have received fewer blessings than some other people in the world?
3. If the answer is yes to both of the above, then: Should I respond out of anger at not having as much privilege/blessings as others, or gratefulness for the privilege/blessings I have received?

We are all responsible for our own feelings and outlook on the world. The article I wrote was a personal reflection on my own life. I choose to acknowledge the blessings I have received and respond in kindness to others. I have the opportunities I have today because other people helped me get here. I choose to help others in return.

I’m not asking everyone to give all of their possessions to the poor. I’m not saying it is wrong to win the lottery or have blessings that others don’t have. I’m simply acknowledging reality as I see it, in hopes that others might be willing to view the world in a similar way. The way each individual chooses to respond to their unique situation is up to them.

It is hard to understand why this particular line of thinking upsets people. Pride is a deceptive master. It feels powerful at first to believe you built everything around you entirely by yourself. But like a poison to the heart, it ultimately eats away at you until there is not much left.