COMMENT: In Erik Erikson’s model of psychosocial development, the major struggle of our adult lives is toward “generativity”, or feeling we have made a positive impact on the next generation. Andrew Carnegie famously wrote that one should spend the first half of one’s life making money and the second half giving it away. However, consider someone like Dr. Paul Kalanithi, whose poignant memoir, “When Breath Becomes Air”, was published earlier this year. Paul spent the first half of his life preparing for a career as a neurosurgeon and scientist, hoping to make his contribution to mankind through his research during the second half. However, diagnosed with lung cancer at age 36, he was forced to reconsider. Ultimately he realized that true joy did not have to come from something so grand; he experienced it serving his patients every day and raising his young daughter. In what ways do you serve others in your day-to-day life?
Andy's Quote of the Day 