Tikkun Olam literally means “world repair” or “construction for eternity”. In a practical sense it can be “acts of kindness” that better the human condition, altruistic (disinterested, selfless concern for the well-being of others) acts that make the world a better place. For life to have its fullest meaning, we need to live for more than ourselves. We must contribute to the common good, we must pass it on, pay it forward, and do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
Everyone should have a “tikkun olam”, a way, a calling, a commitment to leave the world a better place for having lived.
Closing Quote
“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Footnote: Our helping should be effective. We should never make a practice of doing for others what they can do for themselves. It is all too easy to create dependency or a sense of entitlement. Some challenges need to be faced and conquered; a government or parent that over protects often ends up doing more harm than good, stunting growth, becoming a facilitator, a co-dependent.
As always, I share what I most want/need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier
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