13 of 86

Write now Article Tools

Measuring what one offers to the overall good is like counting the raindrops falling from the sky. It's impossible to stand there and count them all, yet after stepping back, you can clearly see the ground is wet.

In other words, measuring your effect on humanity is a rather tricky task in such small amounts. It's better to look at the cumulative effect.

On the surface, I often find it hard to really put a number, or anything tangible, on what I offer this world.

After all, I'm a salesman. I sell air. I'm the reason you end up buying satellite radio or just changing the radio station: Too many commercials.

I spend my full-time job convincing people to spend more money than they are willing to, often reaching well into 5 figure territory, and offer no promise of return. "If you want guarantees, go buy a toaster." That's what I'm supposed to say, at least.

More often than not, I fell sleazy. There are nights where I stay up nights praying that clients see in return what they have invested in me.

I'm now in the process of finding a job that will allow me to be a greater benefit to the people I work with.

When times like these beat down my spirits, I try to look past all of this. I try to take stock of what I have done.

Somewhere there is a 4 person rowing shell that is named after me. The kids that I taught to row in that boat are now teaching kids that I have never met not only the perfect rowing mechanics, but also to work hard, stay focused, and above all else, never act in a manor that will prevent you from looking yourself in the mirror at the end of each day and know that you have improved yourself in some way shape or form.

Within 24 hours of reading this, an average of 8 people will read the website that I have created in my spare time. On the surface, it's just an irrational fan ranting about sports. On a deeper level, I hope that I have made a person down on their luck laugh out loud. I hope that at least one line I have written in the past three months inspires somebody to view the same old thing that they have seen every day from a different vantage point. They will hopefully, one day, offer this point of view to a friend that will listen.

Somewhere in Kansas, I have three nieces that know their uncle loves them. They know that I would do anything for them. Though they may never say it, they know that they have an uncle that is helping to teach them how to never hate another human being. In the not too distant future, they will be in a position to teach the same to others.

All of this starts in small numbers. 3 Nieces. 4 rowers. 8 readers. After measuring these raindrops, it doesn't seem like much.

Soon 3 becomes 6. 4 becomes 8. 8 becomes 16.

In business, this is called a pyramid scheme in which the person at the top rejoices in overwhelming wealth and profit.

In measuring my impact on the world, there is no profit in terms of dollars and cents.

Instead, I get to smile knowing that these very small and hard to measure rain drops are helping to make the ground very wet.

Learn more about this author, Joe Jenkins.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Reflections: What value are you adding to humanity??
We want to hear your view. Write now!