On contribution

Brent: What do you think defines a worthy contribution to make to the world?

Thanks Brent – I love this question.

On the weekend I saw Hamilton. An amazing work of breathtaking genius. Apparently the first musical to ever bring in a billion dollars in revenue. Clearly an incredible and worthy contribution that Lin-Manuel Miranda has made to the world.

When I was driving into the carpark there was a group of people walking down the up-ramp. A little inconsiderate … there are stairs for people to use while walking, but they walked where the cars were meant to go. Meaning I had to wait.

I smiled and waved them through. I think that moment of kindness was also a worthy contribution.

There’s a trap to thinking that for a contribution to be worthy it needs to be on a grand scale. To touch millions of people or somehow save the world. Unless we are brilliant and lucky, chances are we won’t pull it off.

My benchmark is much lower. Picking up a piece of rubbish. Smiling. Saying thank you. All worthy contributions.

And I think looking after yourself is also a worthy contribution to the world. Getting enough sleep, exercising, meditating, getting a massage, talking a walk, doing something that gives you pleasure.

My teacher Maharishi says that first you meditate for yourself, then you meditate for the world. My friend Lisa says that the best thing you can give your kids is a happy mother (probably applies to fathers, too). Every airline in the world says fit your own mask first.