SERVICE

Last night at the NAACP Awards Dinner, Hill Harper was the keynote speaker. Mr. Harper has an impressive biography. His father was an NAACP Branch officer in Iowa for 30 years. He graduated magna cum laude from Brown, cum laude from Harvard Law School and holds a master’s degree from the Kennedy School of Government. Barack Obama was a classmate. His two bestselling books are “Letters to a Young Brother” and now “Letters to a Young Sister.” He owns two restaurants and a few businesses. Somehow he finds time to be in films and star in the CSI-NY television series. Plus, he was voted one of People Magazine's Sexiest Men Alive – and he was seated beside me!

Honestly, how can one person be so blessed?

Hill Harper’s message is all about becoming your best self. Part of becoming your best self is to be of service. He says, “Being of service is … not just about other people, it’s also about you. …whenever I serve, I’ve always wound up getting even more out of the experience than the person or people who I help do. Because by giving, you wind up being the receiver of the other person’s happiness.”

He truly believes service to others brings one great joy. In his mind’s eye, being of service is a key element in fulfilling our goals and dreams, which is why he knows he can “achieve anything” he chooses.

There are hard costs involved in not helping others. The Century Foundation has re-released its report on “How Neglecting Poverty Costs All Americans” that underscores the harm done by not serving the fragile among us. According to the report, between 2000 and 2006, the number of Americans in poverty increased by 4.9 million – from 11.3 percent of the population in 2000 to 12.3 percent in 2006. As a matter of fact, today more than one in six children and one in eight Americans is living in poverty. No new policies have been enacted to help improve prospects for low-income households. Federal and state governments, hit with budget deficits, have been cutting back some existing programs. We pay for this neglect in numerous ways.

Today Hill Harper is going to Cook County Jail to share his uplifting message with 50 young inmates. Imagine the affect he may be having on other peoples’ lives as I write this and you read this. Last night was truly an inspiring evening for me, feeding my soul. I would like to know what motivates you. “Why do you do that thing you do?” Let me know if I have permission to share your message with others in a future blog: www.katmiller1000@aol.com.