Book Review: Subject - Personal Development

Title: Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World
Author: Bill Clinton
Publisher Alfred A. Knopf, New York
ISBN: 978-0-307-26674-3

You can say what you want about Bill Clinton’s occasional lack of good judgment, but one thing you can’t deny is that the ex-President of the USA has led, and continues to lead, a purposeful life. While others in his position might be content to rest on their laurels and enjoy the fruits of their past successes, clearly Clinton is not. He has used his immense popularity around the world to rally people behind him to become agents of change. He has challenged people to find ways within themselves to give back to those less fortunate. I have no doubt that there is a special place reserved for Clinton in heaven.

Truth be told, I’m a huge Clinton fan. I marvel at his ability to hold an audience. He could read the side of a cereal box and make it sound exciting. He has that unique ability to inspire people to take action. Clinton’s latest book, Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World, has motivated me to find a way to give back.

“The return from your work must be the satisfaction which that work brings, and the world’s need of that work. With this, life is heaven, or as near heaven as you can get. Without this, with work which you despise, which bores you, and which the world does not need, this life is hell” – W.E.B. Du Bois

We all have the capacity within ourselves to give something back – to lend a hand to those less fortunate than ourselves. It doesn’t have to be financial... Giving back can be as easy as committing a random act of kindness: Do something nice for someone without expecting to get anything back in return. (Trust me; you’ll love the feeling you get so much that you’ll want to do it again.)

Looking for some ideas? Clinton has used his latest book to cast a spotlight on those who have heard the call and have answered the bell. He has dedicated a number of chapters in his book to showcase a number of ways you can give: Giving Time; Giving Things; Giving Skills; Giving Good Ideas; and Giving Gifts of Reconciliation and New Beginnings, to name just a few.

Most of us are not as well known as the Bill Clintons, Oprah Winfreys, or William Buffets of the world. But our contribution – no matter how large or small – can be just as powerful. We can make a difference in another person’s life. We can be an agent of change. We can change the world if we harness our energies and use that energy to correct an injustice. We can all decide that it’s time to start a new beginning and live a life of purpose.

“Once the what has been decided, the how will always follow” – Pearl Bailey

Make time to read this book. Take the time to think about how you can make a difference. You can make a difference: in one life; in a thousand lives; in a million. Hopefully, this book will motivate you enough to get you started. Enjoy the journey.