My Favorite Quote and What it Means to Me

I was asked recently about my favorite quote. It is on my website and I use it to close out each edition of my podcast. The quote is pretty simple:

Some people make things happen.

Some people watch things happen.

And then there are those who wonder what happened.

As far as I can tell, this quote comes from an old Gaelic saying. But I have used it for many, many years. I’ve come to believe that, in life, for every second we’re breathing, we fall into one of those three areas. What I love about what I do, and the people that I work with is that those in nonprofit generally are people who make things happen for people who are wondering what happened.

I was brought up to be someone who makes things happen…to take responsibility for myself, to help those I love, and to provide assistance to those who need a helping hand. I so appreciate those in the foundations/nonprofits I work with because they, too, much like myself, are just trying to make a difference… “to be someone who makes things happen.”

Professionally, when you’re able to help someone else, the true definition of philanthropy (the love of mankind), making things happen really doesn’t seem like a job. When you wake up each morning and are able to appreciate the fact that you’re going to make a difference for someone else, that’s a vocational call.  And, that is a pretty great way to greet each day.