“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

The world is changing faster by the say and for that our view on value addition to humanity needs to be contemporary. It sounds too idealistic these days if you we were to discuss about what we are trying to do for the human race, after all one barely does enough for one’s own self, or so it seems. But the fact remains, each one of us has to contribute to make this world a better place to live in. As heavy as the burden sounds, not much is expected from an individual. Just that he lives his life in a way that is productive, considerate and beneficial to all. In this broad purview lies the core of value to humanity.

A life so productive, it adds to humanity

I will not say materialistic things don’t matter. They do. A house, a car, good clothes and vacations, all matter. Money is important. For most people, earning money is the motivation that leads them to do well in life. If you are putting efforts in the right direction and earning money the right way, you are doing a lot of good to humanity. Use every minute of your day productively, utilize your knowledge and potential to the fullest, you will not only earn the luxuries you dream of, but in the process also inspire a few more by your success and motivate them to work hard. Don’t we all agree that an idle mind is a devil’s workshop? That makes the opposite of it exactly true. A mind which is occupied and productive will profit all. In the pursuit of such happiness remember, earning money can only be a road to the ultimate goal, it can be a means to achieve things that can be bought with money. Do not make it your sole primary goal. Because there is an end to the need for and things that can be bought with money; none to your productivity. I like to compare an efficient person with the ocean. Every time a wave comes and meets the shore, it leaves something and returns. An efficient person too leaves his traces in everything he does, all which add value to humanity.

A life so considerate, it serves humanity

Do you run errands for your old grandmother who needs help around with everything? Do you rush to the hospital on hearing about a neighbor’s accident? Do you teach your children not to waste food? Well than you are doing a lot of service to humanity without being aware of it. Helping an old person, especially your own grandmother is no big deal, rushing to the aid of an injured neighbor also is not as selfless an act, teaching good manners to your children is just about what every parent would do. What is a big deal here is that by being considerate in your actions; you are setting an example for your children and those around. You are doing your bit for the next generation. Being kind is a trait which all have but most use it sparingly. We use kindness as if it is the money in our wallet which will decrease with every purchase. It is not so, be lavish, an act of kindness will never be wasted. A good deed sets about a chain of reactions. You started a process of thoughtful action and in some way or the other it will either come back or be passed on to those in need, is it not a value addition to humanity? Think about it, if everybody does nothing extra-ordinary, just simple things like drive sensibly, keep the neighborhood clean, not encroach on somebody else’s rights and strive to be a good parent, wouldn’t it eliminate half the things that trouble humanity?

A life so beneficial, it rewards humanity

The growth of an individual is the growth of society, after all, isn’t the society made up of individuals? As a society we have witnessed several lives wasted, just squandered away for want of vision, opportunity, or simple guidance. It would do a lot of good to the whole society if there are success stories to brag about and individuals on a pedestal who progressed so much that the whole society gained on their account. The initial objective maybe self growth but the progress of a human does add to the improvement of humanity. Do we not admire Mr. Bill Gates for turning the face of communication and technology and making computers a household thing today? Do we not revere Mahatma Gandhi for spreading the message of truth and non violence and achieving independence for his country with the help of these unusual weapons? There are countless other examples, all around us in past and present. What is so great about these individuals? Did they set out to improvise the world? Was it their aim to benefit the world at large in such a manner? Probably not! And that is the wonder. What starts as a personal agenda may turn into a national or a global advantage. Don’t hesitate to set out to achieve your dreams. Don’t think that a single human being can not do anything for the whole humanity. If they can do it, so can you. You belong to the same race as them, you are both humans. For every progress that a human makes, humanity advances. Materialistic, spiritual, emotional or technical, any advancement is a reward to humanity. We should all have the zest to make a difference, however small. If something created, propagated or popularized by you benefits others, it is not a value addition to humanity?

There is really no perfect formula to add value to humanity. I would go to the extent of saying that what is good for you is good for humanity too but in that case “good” is not what you achieve at the cost of others. Simple rules of decent living, honest approach in dealings and a thoughtful code of conduct; small things that bear a huge impact. Small things that make a human “humane”, a quality so rare, we must endeavor to save it from extinction.