Donald Trump/ Mother Teresa Generation?

QUESTIONS

Do you like nice things? Do you have to have nice things? Do you own a nice home with nice furniture and accessories? Do you drive a nice car? Do you eat at nice restaurants?

Do you like to help people? Do you think about doing things to help others? Do you help other people in need?

If you had to choose between the two, helping others or having nice things, which would you choose?

THE STORY

The other day I had lunch with a gentleman who is on staff with a large church in Atlanta. We were discussing Project Live Love and the possible involvement of this church in the upcoming LIVE LOVE Event. Among the many things we discussed, one comment he made really stood out to me.

He said, “Your generation is the Donald Trump, slash Mother Teresa generation. You want to have nice things but at the same time you want to help people.”

This thought stuck with me ever since that meeting. I think that statement is true. Our generation is greatly focused on social impact however; we are greatly focused on having nice things.

CO-EXISTENCE

What is unique about our generation is we have figured out ways for these two to co-exist. Our generation more than any other is figuring out ways to integrate our work with our desire to help others.

Companies are being created that address community needs and deliver a product or service. Tom Shoes, Drink coffee do good, Fair Trade, HOBO Nation, etc… are great examples of such companies. We have figured out ways to give people nice things and the feeling of doing good.

I mean… One part of Project Live Love does the same thing. We sell t-shirts in order to continue showing love to others.

Is this good or bad?

OVERALL IMPACT IS UP

I would like to think that more social impact is being done today than ever before. It seams like every time I turn around there is a new company that is marketing it’s social impact. I mean… while on the subject of Donald Trump… The TV Show The Celebrity Apprentice that Mr. Trump hosts, raised over $3,000,000 for charity this season alone.

So… we are the Donald Trump/ Mother Teresa Generation. That is better than being the Donald Trump Generation. I mean we could be the selfish generation that brought us the over indulgence cultures of the 70s, 80s and 90s. At least on some level we think about others. At least “all” of our attention is not solely on “I/me/mine”.

I see our desire to integrate social impact into our daily work refreshing. I like that our generation is pioneering what it looks like to help others through going to work.

We all want to “feel” like we are making a difference.

AIN’T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING

HOWEVER… If we allow our model of serving others to drift too far into a consumer society then what have we really accomplished? This model of doing good without any “real” investment could damage the idea of doing good for others. If it didn’t cost me anything… Then did I really give of myself?

How can I say I “Gave Back” when in reality I “Got something” in return?

I don’t think anything can replace the rolling up of one’s sleeves and directly serving someone else. The most exciting moments of my life have been when I was serving someone else. I have never felt more alive then when I was showing love to a person in need.

Selflessly giving of oneself for something bigger than you is what I believe life is all about. Nothing seems to compare to teaching a kid to read, hugging your parents, giving a meal to someone who is hungry, donating your earnings to a cause, etc..

IN CONCLUSION

So… Is this metamorphosis of the Donald Trump and Mother Teresa into a generation of people good or bad? I am still on the fence with this. I only bring it up to say it is good food for thought.

Maybe there should just be a balance???

My advice would be to not stop at buying a key-chain, t-shirt, or sticker and thinking you are changing the world. Dive in and change it by doing something for someone else.