What makes a person effective in life?

Question

I felt that I was wasting my life. Although my family was financially secure -- we had a nice home and were considered prosperous by our community -- I didn't feel that I was living a meaningful life. A deep feeling of emptiness gnawed at me. I analyzed my life situation and compared it with the lives of others whom I respected. What was the difference? Those I admired all made a significant contribution to the welfare of others. Each did this in a unique way. But the common denominator was that they all did things that made a difference in people's lives. I made a sincere commitment to do the same.

What do you say? Any bright ideaS?

Answer 1

My favorite quote is by Theodore Roosevelt. It simply says, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." There are many people who do not have the money to do great things. That is not what is needed to be effective in your life. Mother Theresa was very poor by the world's standards, but she lived her life doing what she could right where she was.
I like what you had to say. Maybe many people will read your statement and realize the same thing. Find someone in your area to help, maybe through a church or community outreach program. They are everywhere.
Go to a nursing home and volunteer, listen to kids read at schools, rock babies in hospitals, crochet a prayer shawl for a lonely elderly person, make note cards for shut ins, or any number of other things. Have fun helping others and hang in there.

Answer 2

I think that we all have the ability to touch people's lives more than we realize. It may sound corny but even a simple smile to the stranger on the street can brighten someones day. Random acts of kindness (pay for the person behind you in the drive through) are good too and they give you a boost too. Kind of like the movie Pay it Forward. It really can build your own self value.

Answer 3

Donate food/clothing/blankets to homeless shelters
Drive for meals-on-wheels
Volunteer at a non-profit thrift store
Do any volunteer work
Buy a homeless person a meal
Keep an elderly person company
Take in a foster child
Contribute to charities
Help out at a food bank or senior center
Help out at a daycare center
Donate diapers (baby size and adult size to non-profit agencies or churches)
Take care of orphaned pet animals
Help a blind or deaf person
Donate time to an environmental cause

Answer 4

set a goal that you think will help other people. you should be sincere in doing your goal because if you're not.. you would give up easy when challenges come your way..

best of luck with your plans...