I want to be useful !!!!

“You know, I quote in the book a wonderful letter that Benjamin Franklin wrote to his mother because he obviously had an aptitude for business and she kept on wondering why would you go into politics? And he said that, you know, on his tombstone he wanted it said not that he had been rich but rather that he had been useful. And, I love that idea of deciding what will be most useful to me. “
– Senator Barack Obama {Illinois, USA}

A Brilliant idea indeed. How does one become useful? What is the purpose of being “useful” and to whom? Just oneself or to society? How do you decide on such factors and the consquences? I began thinking about these questions about 2 weeks ago when I watched the Larry King interview with the charismatic senator from Illinois and was just impressed by his answers, his humble arrogance and intelligence and of course the title of his book “The Audacity of Hope” {Going to get it soon}.

So how do I become useful? Hmmm been thinking about that and well I have come up with three scenarios:
1.) Be useful to my parents – well i guess its ever kid’s dream to do something for his/her parents, but i want to make it a reality. Do whatever they would like me to do for them, except for of course stop partying .
2.) Be useful to the organization that i am working for – I guess this is important as well because this is a deciding factor for the 1st option. So need to add value to my organization – thus enjoying the rewards that ripe from it.
3.) Be useful to society – Do something once in a while, well where I do not necesarily feel that i am expecting something back in return. I guess i am selfish to feel good about the deed I have done but then again i am just human.

So I guess this is the overall high level analysis. Option 2 and 3 can be broken down into detail, and well I guess I will sit down and decide them during this weekend. Option 1 – well even if i say NO to it – my mother would make sure i carry it out LOL.

Think about it – How are you being useful ???

Cheers,