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Posts Tagged ‘Plant a tree’

Developing a sense of hopefulness helps us maintain a positive focus on the future.

Hopefulness has many facets. Three of the most important are: a sense of purpose, a devotion to service, and a sense of faith.

Today’s focus: Service.

Service: a positive focus on others. Making a positive difference in another person’s life offers a double blessing. When you give your time, love, and energy to others, they receive a gift… and so do you. Your gift is the pleasure and sheer joy that comes from being of service to someone else.

I’m delighted that our young people are growing up to be givers, to understand what it means and what  it takes to serve others—their family members, neighbors, as well as our sisters and brothers around the world.

Growing up, my mom and dad taught me and my sisters that wealth had nothing to do with possessions. True wealth meant valuing yourself and others. True wealth was understanding that we’re all part of the same blessed community and that our number one concern is caring for and helping one another. Serving takes the focus off ourselves and turn it others—towards helping, supporting, and nurturing someone else’s hopes and dreams.

Service is giving to others without expectation of reward. You just do it because it’s the right thing to do. You do it because it feels good. A few years ago, I was blessed to plant a few trees at a school in Kenya. I planted one in honor Maurice, a young student. Just the other day, he sent me an e-mail to let me know that “my” tree is growing well.  Made my day!

When you focus on others, you naturally concentrate on the future. How are you serving someone else today? How are you passing on your values to others?

Pass It On!

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“Hey, are you almost done?” I ask my 4-year old friend Emma as she polishes off the last of her Cheerios. “Today is Earth Day. Time to celebrate… what are you gonna name your tree?” As she scrambles down from her chair, Emma looks up at me & asks, “Why isn’t every day Earth Day?”

What would you tell Emma?

Pass it on!

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