A few years ago I was teaching a radio class at Appalachian State in Boone, NC and I happen to get there early to watch the guest speaker before me. He and I had never met and I only caught the tail end of his lecture, but it was what he said at the end that really hit me.  

“You can’t get into the hall of fame unless the next generation votes you in”.

Brilliant! It’s essentially how I have lived my life, but crafted from someone who I had never met till that day.  Giving back is imperative.  Sure, I walk by bell ringers in front of the mall all of the time and I don’t give as much to church or charity as I should, but I do give my available time to the betterment of people.  I invest in people and make myself available to those who truly want to learn.  

You should never pass up a teaching opportunity.  If you are knowingly doing this – shame on you.  If you are someone in need of learning more about your craft or life and do nothing to attain that knowledge – shame on you as well. 

Education needs to be both shared and sought.

It’s the season of giving back and giving thanks.  Don’t pass up the opportunity to learn from others or provide insight to those seeking knowledge. Each of us have something to contribute to the betterment of people and the words or actions don’t always have to be life changing or incredibly motivating.  It’s what the receiver of that information does with the new knowledge that determines the overall impact.

#thansgiving #givingback #motivation