more more more

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’
- Martin Luther King, Jr

More, more, more. I want more... it's what drives our society. For many of us it is what motivates us to work hard, so we can have more stuff, bigger stuff, prettier stuff, shinier stuff. I am convinced that one of the biggest lies floating around the world today is that more stuff will make us happy. More financial security will make me happy... if I can just get more bright shiny things then I will be ok. Now I enjoy a new bright shiny thing now and then, but it's never truly brought me any REAL joy.

As crazy as it sounds we all at some point buy into this lie. I have.. but what if our purpose here on this earth is not to seek our own happiness and security but instead to make another's existence happier, easier, or to simply help someone else to not feel alone in this world. Maybe MY ultimate happiness and joy is obtainable if I can simply seek each day to help another.

I believe that this is what the Big Dude wants from me. It's why I love being a nurse so much... overwhelming opportunity to serve others, whether it be my patients or their family members or my coworkers. Everyone on this planet can make a huge impact on another person's life every single day if we choose to. It doesn't matter whether you are a millionaire or homeless, a PhD or a high school dropout, whether you walk or drive a porsche. It doesn't matter. A kind word or smile can change another person's life.

So how about instead of seeking more more more stuff today I will seek out more more more opportunities to practice random acts of kindess.. encouraging others when I can see that they might need it...

Oh and free hugs and high fives can change a child's life.