Cooperation

No man is an island. Nor any woman, for that matter.

A wise person once said,"Another friend, another door; another foe, another wall."

Cooperation can mean two things. Firstly, it means being together. As social creatures, we need other human beings for companionship. We feel mostsecure in a group where we are accepted and find encouragement. Loneliness is one of the greatest frustrations that a person can face on a day-to-day basis. Can you imagine experiencing a great joy alone? Sharing it with friends will increase your happiness many times over.

Secondly, it means working together. Often time, we team together with others to complete a classroom project, solve a problem, or do business hand-in-hand. In the modern office or workshop, scientific corporate management has resulted in the creation of many specialised jobs. A company's viability and its efficiency depends largely on each member of the taks force using his or her special skills to enhance the quality of the final product or service.

Cooperation manifests itself in the spirit of love and giving. Aesop's fables contain various examples of such human exchange. Ultimately, families and social groups cannot be sustained by a rigid system of justice but by a spirit of love which goes beyond a simplistic system of fairness. We also see people sharing weal and woe. Indeed, it is easier to go through a difficult patch in life when there are others to give us a helping hand along the way.

On the other hand, as we extend our hand of cooperation, we must beware those who treat others as stepping stones to their own success. Check to make sure your friends are genuine. At the same time, do not harbour ulterior motives when relating with others. More than ever before, human interdependence is crucial to our survival and happiness. With cooperation, we can enjoy the sweetness of togetherness, and the fruit of corporate efforts.