Wednesday, December 10, 2008

We Are the World

"The value of a man resides in what he gives and not what he is capable of receiving."

-Albert Einstein




Last night while driving home, I heard the song We Are the World. The song transported me back in time to 1985 when the song was first released. A group of famous musicians (see below), who called themselves USA for Africa (United Support Artist for Africa) recorded the song for the benefit of the famine-stricken country, Ethiopia.

We Are the World was written by Michael Jackson & Lionel Ritchie and produced by Quincy Jones. The song was released in March of 1985 and reached number one on Billboards Hot 100 chart in less than a month. The song was named Billboard’s number one song of the year for 1985.

The chorus tells us that when we give to others, we not only help others, but we help ourselves.

We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

When we’re truly appreciative of all the things we have, we naturally feel compelled to share those things with others. St. Francis of Assisi, in his Peace Prayer says, “For it’s in giving that we receive.” When we give of ourselves for the benefit of another, we in turn receive the gift of spiritual and emotional development. In essence, by giving to others, we are, saving our own lives. Each time we give of ourselves, we grow as a person, but more importantly, we grow closer to God.

They key to giving is appreciation. If you’re not appreciative of what you have, you’ll always want more. You can’t be a giver, if you’re a taker. If you’re not satisfied with what you have, your life’s focus will be on acquiring, rather than giving. If you don’t feel you have enough money, you’ll want more. If you don’t feel you have enough material possessions, you’ll want more. If you don’t feel you get enough attention, you’ll want more. You get the picture! If you don’t think you have enough, the last thing that you’ll do is give away something that you don’t feel you have enough of.

I ask you to commit to living a life of appreciation. Commit to being aware of everything around you and finding the value in it. Remember that when a person is experiencing a happy state, it’s because they’re appreciative of something. We really do have a great deal to be thankful for; we just need to make the conscious effort to bring it to the forefront. Make a list of everything that you’re thankful for; add to it when appropriate. Review it in the morning when you get up and at night before you go to bed. It’s a great way to start and end a day!

When we realize we live in abundance and are appreciate of it, we’ll feel compelled to share our abundance. And, when you share your abundance, you'll find that you really do make a better day. WE ARE THE WORLD!

It's YOUR Life: Live it, Love it & Celebrate it!
MJD


United Support Artist for Africa: Dan Aykroyd, Harry Belafonte, Lindsey Buckingham, Kim Carnes, Ray Charles, Mario Cipollina, Johnny Colla, Bob Dylan, Sheila E., Bob Geldof, Bill Gibson, Daryl Hall, John Oates, Sean Hopper, James Ingram, Jermaine Jackson, Jackie Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Al Jarreau, Waylon Jennings, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Huey Lewis, Kenny Loggins, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, Jeffery Osborne, David Paich, Steve Perry, The Pointer Sisters, Steve Porcaro, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, and Stevie Wonder.

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