Monday 9 July 2012

What Investment are you making in others?

Childhood should be a happy time of adventure, play and learning by experience on our way to adulthood.
Have you ever noticed how youngsters maintain a keen interest in what happens to people?
I came across two reports recently that reminded me how sensitive young ones can be with their concerns.
One was in Britain, the other in Germany.
2000 children in Britain aged 4 to 14, when asked what they would change in the world said their first choice was solving hunger and poverty.
500 young people in Germany, aged 14 to 18, arrived at the same concerns.
What would you have chosen in a common list?
War, Disease, Pollution, Prejudice, Crime, Injustice....
The list could be endless!
As adults in Europe we likely feel poverty and hunger are third world issues.
In fact it’s not true and all around us the Issue is growing.
What Intrigues me is why we are not as aware of it as we might be?
In the UK a new scheme called “Food Banks” is being established to respond to growing needs. It cannot cope with current needs.
The response from adults is often “Governments are responsible for sorting it all out”.
Interestingly, when Ronald Reagan became the 40th President of the United States, He said “Government is not the solution to our problem...Government is the problem”
If He was right what alternative exists?
For me, the lesson from younger ones is that they are aware and concerned.
As adults we often turn back to our comfort zone.
On the outside we can all express our concern and some do go on to make many sacrifices to add quality of life to others, whilst some don’t feel any need to be concerned at all.
Some give money, others hold tight to their money.
Some give service to their community, others are self serving.
Some rally to their family, others don’t get involved.
Some are inclusive whilst others are exclusive.
Somewhere along the way, is it possible that selfishness, greed, ambition or lack of humanity corrupted us?
It was likely the period when we moved from childhood to adulthood?
Whoever said “There are none so blind as those who won’t see” made a good observation.
Giving costs nothing.
Try a smile, a warm gesture, a kind thought, encouragement or commendation.
It’s a great Investment that multiplies the return for no cost.
Make your mark and make a difference.
The biggest gain will always be yours.