A Burning Desire to Help

What can I do to help others?

This question is ever-present in my life. It’s what keeps me awake at night.

Seeking an answer has guided my career and taught me new skills. I’ve noticed that the best answer usually comes to me from others who point out what I’m best at doing. Following their guidance has led me to many new endeavors, taught me valuable skills, and rewarded me with memorable experiences.

As a schoolboy in Israel I was tasked by teachers to tutor classmates in English. I’m an American and my classmates struggled with their second language. Tutoring taught me patience.

My high school classmates noticed my handwriting and asked for help with their own. Later they offer to pay me for hand-lettered bookmarks and stickers. Getting paid for my handwriting was a motivating, and spurred me to pursue calligraphy. In college, two senior projects with hand lettering earned me my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

When I was fifteen, my oldest brother recruited me to work in a summer camp for learning disabled children, where he was co-director. I ended up working there for six summers alongside exchange students from around the world. The experience and friendships changed my life meaningfully as I learned and practiced values that I hold to this day, including gratitude.

As a young working adult my managers and other workplace mentors guided me. They noticed my successes and provided additional related opportunities, while encouraging me to stretch my abilities. I was always willing to try new things and was rewarded for that willingness throughout my career.

I also was given many opportunities to volunteer on the job. I gravitated to helping people with their professional goals. I specialized in career mentoring, résumé writing and interview coaching. Now coaching is part of my business. I’m grateful for all of my clients.

The question of how I can help remains, and has taken on new urgency as current events roil all of our lives. I wonder: What can I do to help NOW? How can I fight racism? What can I do to reduce hate in the world? How can I contribute to justice?

I’m seeking answers, and would welcome hearing them from you. Meanwhile I’m celebrating my birthday with a fundraiser for the the ACLU. It seems like the least I can do.