Perhaps not all readers will agree with the above words by Eleanor Roosevelt.  Some people reach a point in life where they seem to feel they have made their fair share of contributions to society.  They believe they have earned the right to just take it easy and enjoy life without concerning themselves with the problems of others.  They might see life very much like a retirement plan.  We save money for retirement throughout much of our lives and then, when retirement time comes, we gradually withdraw what we have paid in. Similarly, some people feel that they have made so many contributions earlier in life that, at a certain point, they have a right to become just receivers, and not givers.

How many of us feel that way?  Is it possible to reach a point in life where we no longer have any obligation to our fellow human beings?  Can we truly live a satisfying life without making some contribution?  Is Eleanor Roosevelt right when she says that we begin to die when we stop making a contribution to society?

I don't think Eleanor Roosevelt meant these words literally.  She didn't mean that we begin to die physically. Instead, I think she probably meant that our spiritual lives begin to die and we lose our sense of fulfillment in life. Perhaps Eleanor Roosevelt was one of those people who believe that one of the most important purposes of life is to serve others.  Perhaps she believed that her life would be meaningless if she did not continue to make a contribution. 

Some of us have more opportunities than others to make major contributions in life. But who among us can deny that we all have opportunities, until the day we die, to make at least small contributions? A friendly voice, a caring attitude, and even a warm smile, can often make a world of difference to those around us.  We don't have to be rich, powerful, or highly talented to make contributions of this type.  We can bring sunshine to the corner where we live if we just make a little effort.  And just imagine how different the world would be if we all decided to try to bring sunshine to the corners where we live.   

Who benefits from contributions we make to the happiness of others?  Certainly the receivers benefit, but don't the givers also benefit?  Sir James Barrie said, "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."  Was he right?  Can we truly bring sunshine to the lives of others without experiencing some of it in our own lives?

Copyright 2014 Allen Smith

TB—63—Posted 06/05/2014