Giving Back...It's NOT Rocket Science

The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.
Pablo Picasso 

by Skip Cohen

Over the years, I've written nearly 200 blog posts on the importance of giving back to one's community. One thing I always write: you're looking for the community to be good to you, so you need to be good to your community.

My point today is about timing. At least in my lifetime, there has never been a greater need to support one's community.

It doesn't matter which "side" you're on in politics; the challenge is the same for all of us. We have a government that can't get its act together. At the same time, more people are out of work, costs for everything have increased, and programs that were previously in place to help have been cut back or discontinued altogether.

The fourth quarter officially begins tomorrow, and with it come numerous local opportunities for you to give back. From helping to feed the homeless to national programs like NILMDTS, the Alzheimer's Walk, and Toys for Tots, as well as volunteers participating in community events and special programs in schools, there's no shortage of ways for you to get more involved.

The challenge is that so many of you continue to procrastinate about getting involved. What's sad is that it's so easy to get started - it's not rocket science. It just takes a little focus...which you know all about when there's a camera in your hands!

I hope you'll take some time today and think about how you can give back and then take the first step...get involved!

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.
Mohammed Ali