| The need to
make a contribution may be one of the basic characteristics of adult humans.
Mothers feel an intense satisfaction from raising successful children.
Men spend many hours in activities like Little League with their kids
for the same reason. Scientists are spurred on to make new discoveries.
Astronauts go to the moon. Men endure extreme hardships to live at the
South Pole to do research. People volunteer for helping the homeless or
the hungry for the same reason: The ability to make a contribution.
When I look back on my life some of the high points I remember were
the events where it was clear that I made a contribution. Like successfully
tutoring a teen age friend who was about to drop out of a high performance
school program. He is now a successful dentist and still acknowledges
me for that effort. Or showing a friend of my daughters a few tips on
skiing that resulted in a breakthrough for her accompanied by her shrieks
of joy. What contribution to make is a very personal choice, whatever
it is, needs to be something in your own area of expertise. It has to
be something you feel very strongly about; strong enough to call you
to action. Whatever it is go for it.-- the payoff is very worthwhile. |
© 2002 John D. Toellner
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