Comments on: Random thoughts on life

By: David Gerisch

David Gerisch — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I expect that you are on the correct track - its just going to take a while. Keep going to Harvard, and get a degree. That will open more doors for you than anything else.

Once you have the financial success, *then* find ways to help the community. In your book, you mentioned a program where a local church provided a place and time for kids to get together and play in a safe environment. The kind of people that put that together can be found everywhere - and they will be there, happy to welcome you, when you have established yourself financially.

By: LiL

LiL — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I know this feeling you describe exactly. But don’t dismiss the power of an inspiring thought expressed, a presence that encourages, people talking together strenghtening their belief in the way things should be. You cannot know how your being affects others, and I’ve come to believe we often have much more of an effect than we realize. For example, a refugee may look at you and aspire, at first, to no more than something like this: to have enough peace of mind to think their own thoughts - you more than likely have the presence of someone who does. And that is no small influence. One needs others to affirm one’s sense of the way one wants to be.

And by the way, you just did that for me.

By: AG

AG — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

With intellectualfreedom comes big responsibility. I too believe you are on the right track. No, you don’t have to have ‘long’ dough to impact the lives of those less fortunate. Simply, visualize what helped you overcome your situation of 10 years ago.

By: Chris Jackson

Chris Jackson — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Ejovi,

No doubt that you are on the right track. The kind of introspection you are doing is very important for your personal development.

Have you ever been to a third world country? Surprisingly, the children there are happier than the children in the US, IMO. Why? Because happiness isn’t dependent on material prosperity, which is a lesson that many people in the US have yet to learn.

I agree with LiL’s comments about how a person’s presence could be in and of itself inspirational. To test this theory out, you could just ask those African refugees how they feel about you. One thing this world needs more of is positive examples. Actions speak louder than words, as we all know.

Your reference to intellectuals and wealthy individuals gathering together to discuss the solutions for the world’s problems, but not really doing anything, reminded me of a saying that describes this type of thing perfectly: “After all is said and done, much is said and little is done!”

To be a “doer”, money is not required. I don’t think you really help somebody by giving them handouts. Better to teach them to fish themselves, instead of looking to others for fish …

Keep up the good work. Your desire to be of assistance to others will definitely result in opportunities to do so.

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