If the work is worthwhile, then whether we can complete it or not, it’s worth making the attempt. That’s why courage is important. – Dalai Lama
Feeding the hungry is a worthwhile task, even if you won't end hunger in your lifetime.
What does that mean?
World peace. The end of Hunger. The Cure for All Diseases. Noble causes each, but each of these will take generations to achieve (at the rate we have been progressing, at least). These are all worthwhile efforts, things the quote urges us to consider taking up in an effort to make a difference.
The quote goes on to say even if we cannot complete the task ourselves or in our lifetime, if the goal is worthy, it should be done. In the olden days, castles, palaces and other massive works took generations to complete. It took vision to see what might be, even though it would not be complete until after you were gone.
The courage comes in when we realize that we may never see the work completed. Many people are focused on the results. These people are often discouraged (did you see the word ‘courage’ in there?) when they figure out that the destination is beyond their reach. They have forgotten that the journey is the most important portion of the trip.
Why is what we focus on important?
For those who are focused on personal glory, there was little interest in long term efforts, those which would take more than their lifetime to complete. For those who can take themselves out of the picture and see the needs of the people, the choice to undertake such long-term work is likely much easier.
That is the difference between some of the more notable rulers of the past. Some built great monuments to themselves, finishing them in their own lifetime. Others built great things for their people, even if it took longer than their lifetime to complete.
If we focus only on what can be achieved quickly, it will be hard to achieve great things, either for ourselves or for the greater good. If we can focus on what is needed, regardless of how long it will take to achieve, we can make a difference. Consider Mother Teresa, who knew it would take more than her lifetime to end hunger, but still she fed the hungry what she could.
Where can I apply this in my life?
When I got married, my ability to focus on long term projects was practically non-existent. Starting a family was something that was going to take way too long. At least twenty years, perhaps more, depending on how many kids we had and how long it took to kick them out of the nest. Now I’m about halfway through the process, and have a teen and a pre-teen, and can’t imagine life without them.
I had started with my focus on me and my immediate needs. Eventually, I grew to the point where I could focus on longer term projects. Now, I regularly contemplate projects that won’t be finished in my lifetime. At the moment, my contributions are small, but I am doing what I can to help out.
What do you think is a worthwhile task? What do you think is a goal worthy of your effort, that likely won’t be done in your lifetime? I mentioned some in the opening paragraph of this post. Perhaps you want to choose a slightly more narrow topic, perhaps the cure for cancer, or the end of hunger in your little corner of the world?
Grab some paper and write down a few of these long term projects in which you think you might want to participate. From where you are now, what would have to do to make a difference in any of these efforts? While anyone can donate a little food, time, or money to help feed the hungry, how big a difference do you want to be able to make?
Do you want to help end hunger by donations of cash or food? If so, do you have a target amount and a target deadline? Or do you want to help by revolutionizing how people are fed? Do you need to educate yourself and make time in your life for the experiments to prove your new methods?
There are many paths from where you are that lead towards great things. Which are of the most interest to you? At the moment, we’re just planting seeds. When you are ready, you will know it. So for the moment, a detailed plan isn’t all that useful. Unless you just can’t wait to get started, in which case I’d do a general plan, and only put details in the first year or two.
Otherwise, tuck your notes into your calendar about five months from now, and review it then. See what progress you have made, and adjust what your goals might be, based on your new knowledge, your new desires, and whatever advances science has provided in the mean time.
All of us will pass from this earth one day. What will our legacies be? What will we be remembered for having done? Not all of us will be famous across the world, but we all will be remembered by those we helped. I hope that you can find the courage to do something worthwhile.
From: Twitter, @DalaiLama
confirmed at : it’s his own feed…
Photo by thelesleyshow
