In helping to change the world, there will always be some causes that are more appealing to you than others. Me, I’m big on self-reliance, so I especially like organizations that seek to improve people’s lives by making it possible for them to get on their own feet, through educational and vocational rehabilitation. It’s almost impossible for me not to give to them. For someone who’s willing to try, it would be crushing not to be given a chance. I know this sounds corny, but I mean it. There’s no force in this world more important, more powerful, or more unstoppable than a motivated human spirit determined to succeed. I think the thing I really like the best about how our company has grown is that now whenever I meet one of these people, I can just offer them a job and figure out exactly what it is they’ll be doing later. (Usually, these “charity” cases turn out to be unbelievable assets and wind up making later growth possible.)

I’m also very big on causes that have to do with extending what I’ll call basic human liberties to people who don’t enjoy them. The best way I can think of to free the human spirit is to first remove political oppression. (More on this in the chapter about our creation of the Digital Freedom Network.)

But even just simply giving a poor person something to eat is very important. Years ago my wife and I used to go downtown at least one night a week and give away bags we made up with sandwiches, fruit, and a drink to poor people who lived in parks, train stations, or on the street. You couldn’t believe how grateful and gentle these people were. I’m sort of ashamed that with our larger family and added responsibilities we haven’t found the time to do this often enough anymore. Maybe writing this will get us started again. I certainly think it would be great for our kids too. Even without this, one of the things Debbie and I are proudest of is that our kids never pass a poor person by without giving them something. If we’ve taught them nothing else (and sometimes we feel we haven’t), this would still be the most important thing to us. It’s just basic human decency.

In any event, whatever charity you choose to give to, or with whatever charitable organizations you decide to involve yourself, you’ll be improving not only the lives of those you’re trying to help, but your own as well. Not only that, but you’ll be a partner in bringing the world closer to perfection, and as I’ve said previously, I think that that’s really why we’re here in the first place.

One last thing. By getting involved in charitable organizations you’ll meet great people. People with really good values whom you’ll relate to and might become close friends with. Not only that, but some of the people will be really important and powerful, too. While these powerful people are usually inaccessible in a business setting, they’re usually accessible here. Who knows? One of these people might even give you a million dollars someday so you can pursue your own dream. It happened to me. I’m not saying this is the reason you should get involved in these organizations. The only reason to do this is because you honestly believe in, and want to help with, the cause. But if the contacts you make doing the right thing help you in other ways as well, I think that’s just great.