It is one of the most natural human desires to want to make a positive contribution to the world. I want to explore how someone can make a contribution.
It is a common theme in the mainstream media that equates contribution to economic input and being in employment. I think the issue of whether sustaining our current economy is a positive contribution is very much up for debate. However I do think that being in regular employment can make a real contribution to society in a few ways; for example helping people on a daily basis and building your own strength of character (The human qualities rather than the monetary ones) Having said that, receiving a regular income does empower people in a way which they can make a greater contribution to the world.
What I strongly disagree with is the argument of if someone is not in employment they are ‘not contributing’. Contribution comes in many forms. Volunteering is one example which can make a great contribution to society, often of a more compassionate nature than paid employment. Self-run projects are another good example, sometimes the more original the contribution the better. The internet is a great way of reaching a large number of people from your own home, and can be much more efficient than ‘getting out there’ it just depends on what you’re doing. It is literally impossible to sit around and do nothing - think about it, you’re always doing something. Furthermore, when you see that we’re all connected on an energetic level as we’re all one, you see how every action contributes.
It is a common theme in the mainstream media that equates contribution to economic input and being in employment. I think the issue of whether sustaining our current economy is a positive contribution is very much up for debate. However I do think that being in regular employment can make a real contribution to society in a few ways; for example helping people on a daily basis and building your own strength of character (The human qualities rather than the monetary ones) Having said that, receiving a regular income does empower people in a way which they can make a greater contribution to the world.
What I strongly disagree with is the argument of if someone is not in employment they are ‘not contributing’. Contribution comes in many forms. Volunteering is one example which can make a great contribution to society, often of a more compassionate nature than paid employment. Self-run projects are another good example, sometimes the more original the contribution the better. The internet is a great way of reaching a large number of people from your own home, and can be much more efficient than ‘getting out there’ it just depends on what you’re doing. It is literally impossible to sit around and do nothing - think about it, you’re always doing something. Furthermore, when you see that we’re all connected on an energetic level as we’re all one, you see how every action contributes.
Everyone is different and so has a different contribution to make, life is all about finding out what that is for you. It is a mistake to think people should do this or that, it has to be up to the individual to find their own way. Too many people get pressured into doing things that aren’t right for them, and then feel afraid to take a different path. Similarly some people think they have to rush their decisions, or that they can’t change their mind.
On productivity, this isn’t just the most you can cram into a day. Over working is as counter-productive as under working. It’s about finding the optimum balance in terms of your own energy and needs. A productive day will always have work, rest, variety and most importantly an enjoyment of what you’re doing. If you feel like you’re always struggling to get everything done, you need to review your priorities.
On productivity, this isn’t just the most you can cram into a day. Over working is as counter-productive as under working. It’s about finding the optimum balance in terms of your own energy and needs. A productive day will always have work, rest, variety and most importantly an enjoyment of what you’re doing. If you feel like you’re always struggling to get everything done, you need to review your priorities.
I think a lot of people feel they’re not contributing enough if they don’t feel shattered at the end of the day. It’s an unfortunate complex of guilt and fear which still seems to pervade much of our working culture. Good work is always enjoyable and never stressful. It’s not always easy to do good work, but it’s what we should aim for every day.
MA.
MA.