For The Greater Good Of Humanity
“The wise person doesn’t ask, “What have I achieved?” but rather, “What have I contributed?”—Marianne Williamson
Are you contributing to this experience called life? Allow me to explain myself better. Contribution requires us being of value and service in some way. It needn’t be on a global scale but embodied through your thoughts, actions or non-actions for the betterment of humanity. I’ve had the privilege of meeting some amazing people over the course of my professional life and I was astonished by their journey. Moreover, their exceptional attitude towards selfless contribution is worthy of mention. Similarly, I’ve met people who take from society and contribute nothing in return. These are people with little self-awareness and who are narcissistic by nature because they consider themselves the centre of the universe. How about you? Do you contribute to life or are you always trying to get more?
We are here on this planet for a purpose and it doesn’t matter whether you’re an atheist, a nihilist or a sceptic. The fact you exist at this point in time holds significance to your purpose here. I’m not asking you to believe in religion, a higher power or a greater intelligence, but to consider your presence on earth to be significant otherwise you wouldn’t be here. People might argue, there is no reason for their existence because they were conceived without their involvement. However, there are deeper implications for our existence and we ought to appreciate how we can be of value and service in this life. Is this something you’ve thought about before? Irrespective of your position, could you entertain the idea you are here to contribute to humanity in some form? I realise people assume they must become the next Elon Musk to be of value in the world, however we can still contribute on a smaller scale.
Contribution requires using our inherent skills, passions and attributes for the greater good of humanity. You’ve heard it said no two people are the same since we are unique in our own special way. Therefore our uniqueness becomes an expression of how we add value to life. This is the essence of what spiritual author Dennis Merritt Jones explains in Your Redefining Moments: Becoming Who You Were Born to Be where he writes: “Every human being’s purpose is the same—to bring the deepest part of themselves to the surface and unabashedly share it with the world. The manner in which each one personalizes the gift is their mission—and because there are no two people on the planet alike, nor shall their missions be the same. Your individualized mission is found in whatever you are called to do that honours the giver of the gift in a manner that integrates your authentic self with the doing self.”
Are You Living In Harmony With Nature?
“Don’t spend your precious time asking “Why isn’t the world a better place?” It will only be time wasted. The question to ask is “How can I make it better?” To that there is an answer.”—Leo Buscaglia
I like to think of life as a giant amusement park where we get to ride the rollercoaster as a collective group. It is incumbent upon us to work together throughout the journey where the ride will experience highs and lows, twists and turns and sometimes come to an abrupt stop. If we work against each other, this fuels pain and suffering and we’ve seen this throughout history and in present times. Some people believe they are more important than others as illustrated through their egoic actions and self-interests, instead of working towards unity and oneness. We see this through governments and politicians who fulfil their own needs before the needs of their constituents and those they serve. This leads to political and societal unrest, for obvious reasons.
We are here to help one another through this experience of life. The irony is that by assisting others, you get what you want. I liken it to riding a seesaw. Without a person on the other side, the ride does not function as it is intended. Yet when two people work together by balancing one another and alternating their roles, the ride functions flawlessly. This is how life works, insofar as helping others get what they want, helps you receive the exchange of your goodness. Through the process of reciprocity what you give out comes back to you multiplied, especially when given with heartfelt kindness and love. Is this an idea you can take on board? I’m not asking you to become Mother Teresa but notice how you contribute to this experience of life. Do you balance your giving and receiving with others?
It’s important we be mindful of our place in the universe to bring harmony to our lives and the greater good of others. With this in mind, I’d like you to consider ways in which you can contribute to life. What acts of goodness can you perform in your local community, whether it be through volunteering, helping others or being mindful of what you consume? This is about taking an inventory of our lives to see whether we are living in harmony with nature. If you are unsure how this looks, get out in nature and observe the trees, the ocean, and the sun and notice a state of unconditional giving. Mother Nature constantly gives because we are purely renting space here for a short time and some of us take more than we pay rent for. So it is natural we give back in the smallest way to help enrich the lives of our fellow human beings. As St Francis of Assisi once said: “For it is in giving that we receive.”
