You need to treat people with hospitality when you become a soldier. That is a very important thing to keep in mind. Treating others with kindness will bring back good fortunes. Your goodwill not only benefits others but also yourself. It will result in good things later even if not now.
Because…..
I have felt it myself. Back in the military, I was in a position to communicate with the public frequently. You could say that position can make one rich.
Other officers told me that it was an opportunity worth a million. Some even bribe the uppers to get those kinds of positions. They consider it a chance to prosper and provide for their families and relatives amply. I just think of it as a place to help those in need.
I just helped everyone who came to me without discriminating between those who were ill-willed or not. Money wasn’t on my mind when I was working. I was content with what I got and satisfied to see others’ happiness. But I learnt a lot about people. As it was a border trade camp, a lot of people who do business in different ways pass through there. Businessmen include both those who are honest and those who get rich in illegal ways. It was a place to witness many kinds of people.
Officers from various related departments tax those who come through with different affairs.
With different business comes different taxes. As the traders are foxy, the government departments are cunning as well. These people are always trying to dupe each other and it is a busy place. However they work, all they aim for is to get more money in the end.
It was very difficult for me in the beginning. The requirements from the up and the actual ground situations are very different and it was pretty troublesome to compromise between the two.
Everyone was at each other’s throats as they try to make more money. I was stressed throughout the first week. I had to come up with plans to deal with everyone. My final solution was just plain honesty.
Honesty was the best policy for me. I treated everyone with kindness. I didn’t think for myself. I accepted my ignorance and learn what I needed to. As days go by, things become to get a bit much better. I was friends with every department. The regular traders were also like families to me. My honesty was recognized and rewarded by the higher-ups. Things become stress-free. My decision paid off well I guess.
A lot of the traders who came through here loose much of their hard-earned pennies there before. But after I arrived there, I tried to save much of their money. I established a compromising system between the departments and those who pass through. They didn’t come up with lies after knowing my honesty. I think it was because of goodwill.
I sometimes tried to send them back with extra money as that money could become snacks and toys for their children. Or fix their unsteady houses. Or become extra money for education. Or charity if they have much more.
I did my best to help everyone. The pocket money given to me by others becomes an expense to fix roads of nearby villages. I even supported some basic commodities to the teachers in those village schools.
Others might have come back from there with full pockets but I was indebted. But my creditors didn’t want to accept my payback and sometimes, people who knew me well paid for me.
I didn’t get rich but I got more than what money can buy. I learnt that the pleasure of helping others can’t be traded with anything.
When I decided to join CDM, I also got back a similar gratitude. People helped me with everything. Some even did what no one dared to help me. It was very hard in the beginning but with help from others, I am in a good position now. I couldn’t have thought of the ways they tried to support me. Only the common people helped me when I was in need. I accepted it as the result of my goodwill. These could be too big of words for me but I truly believe that these are the perks of my honesty and kindness.
I am always grateful to each and every one who helped me. And I am trying as hard as I can to pay back my gratitude. I hoped those left in the military could see the truth. I want them to understand where they truly get their salary from. I hope they understand they are beholden to the people.
Well, if they can’t accept the truth and want to die for the military,…
Yours respectfully,
Htet Myat
Translated to English by Anonymous