Two Kinds Of People

There are two kinds of people in this world.

Takers.

And givers.

The takers eat better!

But the givers sleep better!

This popular Rotary Club quote condenses man's search for "happiness" into a few provocative words.  The statement is perceptive because of the emphasis on outward thought of other people.

A psychiatrist friend of mine declares that ALL neurosis result from "inward thinking" - a constant dwelling on YOUR fears, YOUR frustrations, YOUR failures.

It follows, therefore, that some attention to the needs and aspirations of others tends to confer reciprocal benefits.

Many of us work so hard these days at getting everything promised us by politicians, advertisers, union leaders and special interest organizations that we seldom look beyond our own tight little circle.

Yet, all of us are beneficiaries of generous acts of inspired souls.

A true and startling story demonstrates the far reaching effect simple acts of service sometimes have on our infinitely slow journey to godliness.

A family was enjoying a picnic in the country, but the young son slipped away for a forbidden swim in a nearby pond.

The boy ventured out into the water too far and was near drowning.  A country lad came by at this critical time and rescued the struggling youngster.

The parents of the rescued boy were grateful for the act of heroism that saved their son.  As they questioned the older boy they learned that he was a gardener's son who aspired to be a medical doctor but was unable to pursue his ambition because his family was poor.

The parents declared they would finance the young man's education as reward for his act of service that day.

In due time both of the boys involved in the incident grew up well educated and well dedicated.

The younger boy became Sir Winston Churchill, perhaps Great Britain's greatest political leader.

The older boy became Dr.  Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin.

But the story doesn't end there.

During World War II, Sir Winston fell gravely ill.  The king called for the ablest physician in the empire to try and save the only man who seemed capable of leading his nation to victory.

The physician summoned was Dr.  Fleming.  He used penicillin to cure his famous patient.

Seldom do our own acts of service produce such significant and dramatic results.  But everything is relative.  Little deeds can be as much appreciated by a single person as antibiotics can be blessed by thousands.

Where is it written that fun and personal happiness is the goal of life?

The wise men who wrote the United States Constitution said our inalienable rights are life, liberty and the PURSUIT of happiness.  They knew there could be no guarantees of ease and fulfillment.

Where is it written that personal happiness should be our goal?  Not in the Holy Book.  Not in the Constitution.  Not in the bylaws of our service clubs.

The purposes of life are to propagate the species, advance the sum total of knowledge, and strive for divine understanding.

All else is mirage.

Happiness in the final analysis - is a feeling that you have left the world a little better than you found it.

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