Giving Life Meaning

Watching a several week old episode of 60 Minutes this morning, my wife and I came across a story about U2, the rock band. I've always been a big fan of the band and of their open display of their faith in their music and in their actions. But even I didn't realize the depth of Bono's committment to his faith.

You can read the transcript of the story at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/11/17/60minutes/main1053542.shtml. There should also be a section on the right side of the page for video where you can watch it. The piece is called "Making The Music".

We are given a simple sounding yet quite difficult mission in life. By whatever name you call your God, the message is the same...Love one another. That's it. Should be easy, right? So why is it so hard sometimes?

Because it's more involved than simply telling someone you love them. You have to show it. Your actions must speak louder than any words you might utter. They are rock musicians through and through, but the thing they've done is given meaning to their existence. They make a difference.

Their past experiences (growing up in war savaged Ireland) led them to music and their music made them famous. Their fame has allowed them to travel avenues and open doors that would be difficult for us normal people to open. Where most famous people will simply state their idealisms and leave it to others to do something about it, U2 has decided to set an example for the rest of us to follow. They don't get lost in their politics. They make their politics work for their causes. Bono has helped get medications to over 200,000 people in Africa that have AIDS. He managed not only to meet with the G8 leaders this year but got them to forgive the debts of many third world contries, allowing those countries instead to beginning building an infrastructure that can educate and improve the lives of it's citizens. They have taken that simple yet complex life mission...love one another...and turned it into their life's work. Their music preaches that mission, they even have a section of their concerts dedicated to uniting religions of the world (you have to watch the video to truly appreciate that). They didn't get stuck in their idealisms. Instead, they set attainable goals and go about changing the things they have the power to change.

So how you can you fulfill your mission? What are the things that you can do to make the world a better place? The trick is to do life by feel. When you feel compelled to help someone or send a charity money, when you feel strongly about something...that's your calling! Don't ignore it. Don't brush it off, say that you are just too busy to help, and leave it for someone else to do. Most of us are never going to be able to affect the large scale change that people like Bono and U2 can, but there are things we can do. Find an organization in your community that helps those in need and donate your time and/or your money. Be there for the people in your life when they need a hand or an ear.

Sometimes it's the simplest of things...a smile, a hug, a kind word, a few extra bucks donated to your local food bank...these are the things that you can do. They don't take much of your time or really much of your money, but they do give meaning to your life.