Patel's Youth Core helps young people make a significant difference in their communities and in the world.
This was a new concept for me. Success is about self; significance is about others.
The world is full of heroes. The real heroes are usually not those in positions of power -- not the presidents, the kings, or the generals. The real heroes are those who have forgotten self in serving others.
Think Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Theresa. The disciple Judas was successful, but the man he betrayed has been significant through centuries.
Twentieth century American reformer Mary Baker Eddy knew how to make a genuine difference. “Forget self," she wrote, "in laboring for mankind.”
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Is it easier to be successful or significant?
Who do you know, or know of, who has made a difference in the lives of others?
Click here and give your two cents worth!
Brief example of how the Youth Core makes a difference.
1 comment:
I just read Sandi's blog on "Making a difference." I was intrigued by Eboo Patel's definitions of "success" and "significance" that she sites; the former being about your own achievements, and significance being about what you do for others.
What concerns me these days is that there is so much more focus on being "successful" than there is on being "significant."
Success in contemporary terms seems to be focused on obtaining possessions, money, popularity and fame - often at any cost.
Yet some of the most significant people are not famous or wealthy. I am reminded of a group of men I worked with at one time. When I asked them to think about leaders who had made an impact on their lives, I expected them to list public figures, corporate executives, military heroes or Heisman Trophy winners. I was amazed how many listed their own fathers, mothers; and grandmothers scored at the top of the list! Reason: they had taken the time to be there for the individuals when they needed encouragement and support. And this made a significant - never to be forgotten - impact on their lives.
Thanks Sandi, for the practical and inspiring thoughts you share on this blog.
Julie Gordon
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