There’s an iconic line embedded in the 1992 western Unforgiven.
A notorious gunslinger (played by Clint Eastwood) has his rifle pointed at a corrupt sheriff (played by Gene Hackman). Out of ammunition and injured by a previous bullet, the sheriff has no recourse beyond his words to ward off doom.
“I don’t deserve this,” the sheriff says.
“Deserve’s got nothing to do with it,” replies the gunslinger.
Those seven words carry weight, much like Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Not just on the big screen. But in the world as a whole.
You see, we all too often feel as if we deserve things. As if the results we see in life are validation of our actions or intentions.
It’s not our fault. Society actively promotes this message. Particularly this time of year.
Don’t believe me? Consider what we were told as children about Santa’s naughty and nice lists, and what they might lead to.
Did you want a lump of coal or a shiny new toy? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
The mantra of Do good, get rewarded is hardwired into our culture. We’re raised to believe that if we do things the right way, we’ll see the results we deserve.
There’s only one problem with this theory.
It’s not true.
The world is inherently unfair. Bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad ones.
No matter how much we want to think that we’ll get what we deserve, there’s no guarantee we will.
So how do we respond?
We could look upon this discrepancy with scorn. We could act slighted if we don’t get the result we feel should be coming our way.
But if we do this, the only thing we’ll deserve is the label of whiny or entitled.
No one wants to hear how our day to day lives are less perfect than we desire them to be. For we live in a world filled with imperfection. Lamenting the parameters of our existence is as futile and unproductive as yelling at the sun for rising in the east.
So, no. Much like the fallen sheriff in Unforgiven, complaining does us no good.
It’s far better to take the word deserve out of the equation. To look at the opportunities we’re given as a blessing. To accept the rewards we get for good deeds with humility, and with grace.
This won’t even up the score. Bad things will still happen to good people. Favorable actions won’t always lead to favorable outcomes.
But our mindset will be better. We’ll be more optimistic. We’ll take less for granted.
And that’s a gift that will keep on giving.
So, let’s stop thinking of what’s owed. And start focusing on what is yet to be earned.
After all, deserve’s got nothing to do with it.
Thank God for that.