“You live in the most privileged nation on Earth.  You are the most privileged citizens of that privileged nation; You can use your enormous privilege and opportunity to seek purely private pleasure and gain. But history will judge you, and, as the years pass, you will ultimately judge yourself, on the extent to which you have used your gifts to enrich the lives of your fellow man.  In your hands, not with presidents or leaders, is the future of your world and the fulfillment of the best qualities of your own spirit.”

– Robert F. Kennedy

This pretty much sums up my own personal sense of duty to make an impact. I have been so incredibly, undeservedly fortunate throughout my life. To squander all of that opportunity without using my gifts to make this planet and its people a bit better off, would feel, in some sense, tragic.

At the same time, I’ve learned the hard way that … martyrdom and misery are poor formulas for sustaining an effort (and they tend not to be great magnets for attracting the efforts of others).

At this point in my life, the formula seems pretty simple:
Do great, important work, with people you love, and have a darned good time doing it.

Thanks to Heather Warnken​ for the share.

-Matt