In our most reflective moments, each of us wants to make a difference … a contribution. Call it a cause or call it a mission, we want to be a part of something meaningful. Detecting what our contribution will be on a daily basis, however, is not always easy; especially when we are so tangled up with the little things of life. Yet there comes a point when each individual should strive to clarify what he or she will stand for and what purposes he or she will choose to pursue.

I recently read these words in Steven Covey’s Everyday Greatness: Inspiration for a Meaningful Life, and was immediately reminded of two men with whom I volunteer. The first was told that his role, at the very best, would be on the sidelines until some of his skills improved but that he was welcome to stay with the group in case an opportunity arose. Much to his credit, he chose to remain with us, he is steadily improving his skills and has found other ways to contribute. He searches out reading materials of interest to the people we mentor and keeps track of their reading progress for us. The second has developed pretty severe cataracts and, instead of pouting over the fact that his vision is limited, he has found a way to contribute that doesn’t require “reading along.” He is an excellent coach and has shared with his fellow literacy volunteers ways he has found helpful in encouraging the adults we help. His high fives are treasured by all the guys in our group! While both maintain what some might see as “limited roles,” they have found a way to be great contributors to our mission and they share their passion for reading with everyone

Did you find your own cause or mission this year? We all want to make a difference and our contributions can come in a variety of ways. It is up to each of us to find what our contribution might be. I will leave you with this wonderful thought from actor Tom Hanks: “When I was a kid, only Batman had a cell phone. He had a car phone. I was like ‘Man, can you imagine having a car phone?’ But technology has not altered our lives, other than perhaps how we go about them. We are still in the position of waking up and having a choice: Do I make the world better today somehow, or do I not bother?” 

Thank you everyone for all you have done throughout the year to help fulfill TOPS Million Pound Mission by your efforts every single day.