Why do you do what you do? Is it a means to a paycheck or is it truly about serving others. I believe happiness (your everyday, run-of-the-mill, I am happy) is about a “me” attitude, and that can easily be found in chasing fleeting moments of joy — which a paycheck can buy. Where, fulfillment comes from a “serving others” attitude, which is a much harder place to invest your time because the payoff is rarely instant and more often than not less lucrative. So, why do we serve?

This idea reminds me of a line from the movie Bucket List.

“It’s difficult to understand the sum of a person’s life… Some people would tell you it’s measured by the ones left behind, some believe it can be measured in faith, some say by love, other folks say life has no meaning at all… Me, I believe you measure yourself by the people who measure themselves by you…”

I believe Morgan Freeman’s character is trying to tell us is to invest in others. Live a life that pours life into others’ souls and makes them better. Live a life that is an example to others. Does what you really want out of life have a monetary value or does it just cost you time, dedication, and service? As Kid President says, ”we need to live in a world with fewer selfies and more otherpeoplies.”

The most passionate, diligent, conscientious educators I know do their daily work because they are part of something larger than themselves. They get up every day because of something they represent and they are committed to fulfilling a dream. They are driven by serving others over themselves, and they understand the legacy they leave has nothing to do with possessions and material things.