tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982906242727054015.post8908686036188804322..comments2022-10-28T07:03:24.554-07:00Comments on What is Your Calling in Life?: Do you have what it takes to find a professional calling?: Lessons from zookeepers and shepherdsJeff Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16992990751971099071noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982906242727054015.post-47318114683581690432011-11-24T07:13:16.483-08:002011-11-24T07:13:16.483-08:00What appears altruistic in the work of committed i...What appears altruistic in the work of committed individuals (and makes them startlingly successful) really does amount to an alteration of the self. Aaron Miller has a theory that altruism (or a commitment to protect others that sometimes comes at the expense of the self) is really just self-interest (explaining the success of altruistic endeavors in competitive economies). His explanation is that altruism is a choice to extend the boundaries of the self to include others. I believe he has discovered a crucial life truth. I think this is less difficult that we imagine, this stewardship. It's merely a matter of being grateful, which opens our eyes and slows our pace and sharpens our perceptions. We then see the myriad connections of our own particular universes with greater clarity and the boundary of our self naturally expands. Stewardship is one of the 4 basic principles of the poverty alleviation effort I've spent the last year refining. I'm a believer. Stewardship alters us. I'm so glad you write.Bonniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04191017963027895446noreply@blogger.com