Want to Feel Good? Give a Hand Up

The other evening I gave thirteen scholarships to high school seniors headed to college. As part of our scholarship application process, each student needs to submit a paper on how they plan to change the world. I had the privilege of reading over 30 applications from motivated, energized and innocent young people who have worked hard to be the best they can be in sports, school and life.

Now, do I agree with all of them socially? Absolutely not! However, most show intelligence and are inspirational. Yes, maybe some are naïve, but if we are not willing to dream, if we aren’t willing to support the next generation of dreamers, why bother to be hopeful for the future. These kids, these dreamers are our future.

If you want to remember what it’s like to dream…if you want to feel good, I challenge you to give a hand up! To me, nothing feels better than providing fuel to young adults so they can grow, mature, and reach the full potential their parents and God intended.

There are many ways to give a hand up. You can provide financial support, you can provide an opportunity, you can connect them to others who can help, or you can simply show interest and provide encouragement. Helping in some way, even if in an immeasurable manner, helps to fuel dreams.

So, ask the new graduates in your life about their dreams. When you do, don’t scoff about their manner, debate the way they communicate, dictate your own beliefs or pass judgment. Your intent should be to fuel the flame of success. These new high school graduates are our future, just as decades ago we were the future to those who went before us.

Over the years, Marta and I have tried to give a hand up to scores of new graduates. Maybe some will be famous, maybe some will create inventions to make our lives better, or maybe they will just make the world a better place. No matter, it feels good to have given them a hand up.