Starting them young

Extending a helping hand to those in need goes way beyond shelling out a buck or two from one's "excess fund." It's giving oneself (which may take the form of one's earnings but is definitely not limited to that) and finds its deepest meaning when done out of Love.

Whether one helps others out of duty, to gain self-satisfaction, because of tax benefits or for any other reason, a genuine sense of service usually starts early. Read about this child's party where charity apparently wins over candy, where giving out to charity (instead of handing out loot bags) becomes a hit. Also, thousands of university students took a different kind of spring break recently -- one that had them pitching in on rebuilding efforts in New Orleans.

When you're through reading these, you may want to get a closer look at this movie:





If you haven't seen Madagascar (or even if you have), check out this entertaining albeit thoughtful piece called It's a jungle out there by Robert Reilly, courtesy of MercatorNet. It's likely to give you a new perspective on the distinctions between human beings and other beings that roam the planet.