In the early years of our business, I did a lot of free meetings. I did free meetings down at the county jail-at least I had a "captive" audience-and I volunteered to do meetings at the senior citizens' center. Over the years, I have given myself away, literally, hundreds of times to non-profit groups and special events. Each year I do free meetings at the South Dakota State Fair. Now, I am not writing to brag on myself, or to make you think I am such a wonderful person.

So why am I writing about the subject of giving yourself away? First of all, I believe living by this life-principle is, plain and simple, a smart way for all human beings to live. We all have been given gifts and talents, skills and abilities to use in this life, and life is so much fuller and richer when we share some of what we have been given with others.

Of course, let me point out that one's motivations are important and that "attitude is everything," so when you give yourself away, it would be smart to do so with the right kind of attitude. Always give purely for the sake of giving, never expecting to get anything back in return.

Ironically, even though we don't receive monetary compensation when we volunteer, there is another principle at work here- the principle of sowing and reaping, which says that blessings will come from our unselfish acts. Whenever you give of yourself, you are sowing good seeds into the lives of others, and someday, sooner or later, you will reap a harvest of the good that you have planted.

Today, let me encourage you to find some part of yourself that you can give to a good cause. Volunteer to serve on a board for a non-profit organization, or to pick up trash in your community. Get involved in one of the multitude of different things a person can do to enrich the life of others. Consider your volunteer efforts as a form of mental and physical therapy, for there truly is no greater joy or peace to be found in life, than to be giving yourself away.

Besides, the new skills you may learn when you volunteer, and the friendships that will develop as a result of giving yourself away are like the hot fudge on a dish of vanilla ice cream.

2005 Professional Development Systems All Rights Reserved

Robert Prentice

Robert A. (Bob) Prentice is an entrepreneur, a motivational speaker, a corporate trainer, a business and marketing consultant, an author, and publisher, who began his career 25 years ago.On December 26, 1989, Professional Development Systems was established in Rapid City, South Dakota.

In 1998, Bob moved the business to Wessington, South Dakota, so his family could experience the benefits of living in a rural community. Since the birth of PDS, Bob has worked with literally hundreds of companies and organizations within a 15 state region, delivering highly motivational training sessions in Customer Service, Leadership, Sales, Total Quality Management, Team Building and more. Literally, thousands of people participate in Bob's training seminars each year.

A family man, Bob and Vicki, his wife of 28 years, have enjoyed the privilege of raising three children?two sons and a daughter?to adulthood. They also have an 11 year old daughter. Bob says he plays much more than he works, and when he works he goes to fun! Bob's friends call him Mr. Attitude.