Contribution

‘You were not created just to consume resources, you were put on this earth to make a contribution’

                                                      Mother Teresa

 

Contribution in the main can be viewed as an outward action – something to bestow on society. It is a focus on what we have added and brought to others.  It is about our time on earth, our positive impact and what we are leaving behind for future generations.  These are interesting thoughts and perhaps may raise sombre questions and  may be a stimulus for reflection.

However, there is also an inner action focus to contribution. One of the greatest gifts we can offer is to live life from a state of joy, using of gifts and talents. Living joyfully is not just about having fun. Rather joy is a way of approaching our world, and sharing this state with others.

Avoiding destructive negative thoughts and emotions is important. However, cultivating and developing mind and heart based qualities is essential to living life joyfully. My readings from the Book of Joy (Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu , Douglas Abrams)  have provided excellent guidance for our inner focus through their recommended Eight Pillars equally divided between mind and heart qualities for us to develop. The mind based pillars are those of perception, humility, humour and acceptance; and those heart based ones are forgiveness, gratitude, compassion and generosity.

I am reminded of the words of  Robin Sharma ‘ Success is not a function of the size of your title but the richest of your contribution’.