The Road to Significance 563.4
The most traditional way to measure the quality of one’s life is to list accolades, achievements, and acquisitions. In its simplest terms, success is getting what we want, and most people want wealth and status.
Yet as much pleasure as these attributes can bring, the rich, powerful, and famous usually discover that true happiness will elude them if they don't have peace of mind, self-respect, and enduring loving relationships.
Peace of mind doesn’t preclude ambition or desire for material possessions or high position, but it assumes a fundamental foundation of contentment, gratitude, and pride – a belief that whatever one has is enough and an active appreciation for the good things in life.
Feeling successful can generate satisfying emotions of self-worth, but feeling significant – that one’s life really matters – is much more potent. Peter Drucker, the great management guru, captured this idea when he wrote of the urge many high achievers have to "move beyond success to significance."
The surprise for many is that one of the surest roads to significance is service. It doesn’t have to be of the Mother Teresa missionary variety. Parents who sacrifice their comfort and pleasure for their children are performing a service, as are teachers, public-safety professionals, members of the military, and volunteers who work for the common good.
In addressing graduates, Albert Schweitzer said, "I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
Comments
Dear Michael,
Please read this one again for teacher's day on May 14.
Thanks!
Posted by: David | April 25, 2008 7:48 AM
This is so true. After 38 years as an elementary school teacher, I am now deriving much pleasure from helping my 92 year old mother remain independent so she can continue to serve lunches at the Sr. Ctr. I guess my parents set the example that happiness comes from helping others and having loving relationships.
Posted by: Maddy Silverman | April 25, 2008 9:18 AM
I've had a particularly challenging year and after some deep personal reflection I believe one reason for the challenges is to make me focus on what is really important -- not the stuff but the people. Thank you for a really good article that puts it all in perspective -- you can have anything you want if your relationships are solid.
Posted by: j | April 25, 2008 10:24 AM
Great post, Michael. You mentioned Mother Teresa and her missionary variety of service...implying that it might be rather daunting to do the kind of service she did. Actually, her approach to service was rather simple (according to the new book, "Mother Teresa, Come Be My Light") and was inscribed on "business cards" she would hand out that stated: "The fruit of silence is prayer. The fruit of prayer is faith. The fruit of faith is love. The fruit of love is service. The fruit of service is peace." Powerful words to condider...elegantly simple...certainly a way to significance in one's life.
Posted by: Don Bentley | April 25, 2008 3:40 PM
Thank you Michael for the commentary, it was edifying to me. I feel like you and many other leaders who have vision in that we can make this world a better place. To educate and build character is what our children can learn so they can be our future leaders. Oprah says it so well when she said, "When we know better, we do better."
I feel your work is good. I have viewed the video What Will Matter and have posted it on one of my other websites because the work is of value to all of us.
Posted by: Terrance Norton | April 29, 2008 6:41 PM
Dear Michael,
One more thought I'd like to share regarding Mother Teresa. Father Brian Kolodiejchuk, M.C., author of "Mother Teresa, Come Be My Light") observed that, "Mother Teresa's life shows us that holiness can be reached by simple means. Starting by loving the unloved, the unwanted, the lonely closest to us, in our own homes, in our communities and neighborhoods, we can follow her example of loving until it hurts, of doing a little more than we feel ready to do." Thus, I believe her way to holiness was much your way to significance...simple service and love, often first to those closest in our lives.
Posted by: Don Bentley | April 30, 2008 10:58 AM