“A life not lived for others is not a life.”
This quote is by Mother Teresa. It says a great deal with only a few words. Her words are a caution to us to not think only about ourselves and our wants and our needs.
There are many ways to live for others. Recently as I drove past an elementary school, children were getting off buses and walking to the school entrance. I thought about how each of those children is dear to others—their parents, grandparents, and many other people—and of how the parents entrust their children to the teachers. The many educators who are dedicated to their work and truly care about helping children to learn are examples of people who live for others. Many professions include the opportunity to help people, such as employees who assist people living at nursing homes and assisted living residences, hospice workers, daycare personnel, social workers, counselors, and people in the medical professions. And in those occupations that aren’t referred to as the “helping professions,” there are also opportunities to make someone else’s life better. Some of the many ways are by treating coworkers with respect, mentoring, and being willing to assist when there are chances to do so.
Of course it isn’t just through our jobs that we have the opportunity to live for others. We live for others as parents caring for and raising our children, spending time with them, and being good examples for them through our words and our actions. We also live for others when we spend time with and assist elderly parents and other elderly friends or relatives.
When I think of people who live for others, I also think about the authors whose writing has added so much to my life. In addition to being impressed by their writing ability and ways of presenting their ideas, I’m impressed by the self-discipline it takes to be a writer, their creativity, and, for many writers, the courage they have to share their ideas and experiences. I believe that many authors write because they are trying to follow their inner direction. By following their path, they too are living for others, for all of us whose lives are enriched by what they have written.
And of course, we live for others by supporting causes that matter—causes whose goal is to make our world better for all of us who share this earth. And yet another way to live for others is through prayer.
Our Creator will help us to find those ways we can live for others. Yet another reason to do our best to listen to and follow our inner voice.