I can make a difference
Our world is always changing. Think about human history. How far has humanity come since the days of cave drawings and mammoth hunts? Primitive civilizations have formed. The use of agriculture allowed towns and cities to form. The arts and culture evolved our interest in the well being of others. Scientific innovations have made life easier and made the use of our resources more efficient. Mankind has evolved from primitive nomads into an articulate, complex human society.
So one may ask themselves, "How can I, after all that mankind has overcome and accomplished, make a difference?" Must we create the next artificial heart, discover the genetic code, or make the next combustible engine in order to make a difference in society. No! Of course not! One can make a difference in this world in much more subtle ways.
"But how?" many might ask. Simply stated, service to fellow humans can make a profound difference in the course of humanity. No, your service may not spur the development of humanity, but is that really what matters? Not really. Imagine the joy one can spread by helping out another. Can a person help but smile when he helps an elderly lady load her groceries into her car? I'll bet not. What about the local service group that cleaned up the park because it had accumulated an eyesore of trash? Were they bitter at the end of the job? Nope, not by any means.
Life would be bland, perhaps even feel empty, if society relied solely on technological and social innovations to make a difference. While these advances are wonderful contributions, the personal, sincere kind acts one gives to a friend, a co-worker, or a stranger in need will provide a greater sense of hapiness. Hapiness, the emotion that truly allows an individual to feel accomplished, is much more difficult to obtain than one may imagine. From personal experience, however, I will say this. Hapiness and true joy is most easily obtained when surrounding yourself with other people. Toys and games are great, but only provide the temporary emotion of pleasure. Hapiness and service to others; they go hand in hand.
So one may ask themselves, "How can I, after all that mankind has overcome and accomplished, make a difference?" Must we create the next artificial heart, discover the genetic code, or make the next combustible engine in order to make a difference in society. No! Of course not! One can make a difference in this world in much more subtle ways.
"But how?" many might ask. Simply stated, service to fellow humans can make a profound difference in the course of humanity. No, your service may not spur the development of humanity, but is that really what matters? Not really. Imagine the joy one can spread by helping out another. Can a person help but smile when he helps an elderly lady load her groceries into her car? I'll bet not. What about the local service group that cleaned up the park because it had accumulated an eyesore of trash? Were they bitter at the end of the job? Nope, not by any means.
Life would be bland, perhaps even feel empty, if society relied solely on technological and social innovations to make a difference. While these advances are wonderful contributions, the personal, sincere kind acts one gives to a friend, a co-worker, or a stranger in need will provide a greater sense of hapiness. Hapiness, the emotion that truly allows an individual to feel accomplished, is much more difficult to obtain than one may imagine. From personal experience, however, I will say this. Hapiness and true joy is most easily obtained when surrounding yourself with other people. Toys and games are great, but only provide the temporary emotion of pleasure. Hapiness and service to others; they go hand in hand.
1 comment:
Tyler: Excellent essay on making a difference. Service is the key! You have misspelled happiness several times, and in your last sentence, use a -- instead of a semicolon.
Are you going to enter this in the PTA contest? I would recommend that you do.
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