A Chicago public school teacher who had her class watch our movie No Impact Man reached out to me and asked me to write a letter to her class. After I wrote it, I realized it is exactly the advice I strive to follow in my own life and which you, whatever age you are, might find helpful–at least if, like me, you are looking to lead an authentic, impactful, good life.
Dear all you eighth graders!!
What kind of life do you want and what kind of world do you want to live in? Take the time to ask yourself this question very deeply. Don’t ask your mom or your dad or your teacher. Ask your soul and your heart and your spirit. What world do I want? What life do I want? Who do I want to help and how do I want to help them?
Remember that getting the right job and the right house and having the right stuff is fun but it is not the point of life. We are all going to die. What lives on after your body disappears? What do you want to leave behind?
The so-called grown-ups are screwing up the world. Many of you know better than the grown-ups. Believe in yourself!!
Now: Don’t let anyone tell you that your vision for the world and your life is wrong. Pursue it. But make sure it helps others. It is okay to want things for yourself but only if it helps others too. That doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself. That means you have to help yourself in a way that helps the world and help the world in ways that help yourself.
Your teacher asked me about the small things that could help. To hell with the small things! Do big things!! Make your whole life about helping the world in the special way that only you can. I promise you that that is the life that will rock the most. Have fun with it. Be naughty with it. Play with it. See you on the other side!!
Warmly,
Colin