“To attain happiness in another world we need only to believe something, while to secure it in this world we must do something.” -C.P. Gilman
I guess when you read the same quotation twice within days of each other, it means something. And it was this quote from Charlotte Perkins Gilman that I had in my mind as I toured the Family Shelter here in Columbia this week. (http://columbiafamilyshelter.org) They are recruiting board members and a few people, most notably my banker Rhonda Hughey, think I might be a valuable member. I’m still considering it as I don’t take these responsibilities lightly.
Now before you start thinking that I’ve gone all touchy-feely somewhere over the rainbow I’ll poke you with the pointed advice of Ann Radcliffe: “One act of beneficence, one act of real usefulness, is worth all the abstract sentiment in the world.” In other words, “No one wants to hear what you believe. We’re watching. Show us.” I couldn’t have said that better myself.
Talk is cheap. Actions, even small actions, relentless actions, committed actions are the signature of people who change the world.
Are you a world changer? I think the supporters of the Family Shelter are. Established in 1979, the Family Shelter’s central mission is to provide temporary emergency housing and supportive services to homeless families in order to enable them to transition to permanent housing and a stable family life.
“Anything you’re good at contributes to happiness.”- Bertrand Russell
“The first duty of a human being is to assume the right functional relationship to society – more briefly, to find your real job, and do it.” – Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Have you found your real job? Are you doing it?
“You’re not obligated to win. You’re obligated to keep trying to do the best you can every day. A lot of people are waiting for Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi to come back – but they are gone. We are it. It is up to us. It is up to you.” – Marian Wright Edelman
Ms. Edelman, whom I had the privilege to meet while working for the American Diabetes Association over 14 years ago, was right. “Anyone who seeks his own happiness will not find it. But those who seek the happiness of others will find happiness in all they do.” – A transliteration of the words of Jesus from Mathew 16.
“Human happiness is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day.”- Ben Franklin
“Many persons have the wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy cause.” -Helen Keller
These were buoyant words for a teenage girl who was deaf and blind. But you’re not deaf or blind. You’re staring into the mirror of a brand new year, full of possibilities.
Look into the eyes of that mirror. Who will you be in 2009?
If you want to share your thoughts, please do. I always welcome the telephone calls, emails, and comments. 2009 has started off to a gallop for us here. I intend to keep it going that way.
Tags: job loss, learning a new trade, redemption, starting a business, starting over
Yet another insightful entry! I enjoy the way you weave together the wisdom of many minds with clarity and focus. Keep up the entries…some of us are reading and learning from your efforts.