If you have a chance to make life better for others

“If you have a chance to make life better for others and fail to do so, you are wasting your time on Earth. No matter what our station in life, we are here to serve, even if that sometimes means making the greatest sacrifice of all.”

Roberto Clemente

Helping people is what makes life really matter. It’s not about being rich, famous, or having cool things—it’s about caring for others and doing good when you get the chance.

What this really means:

No matter who you are or what you have, every person can make a difference. You don’t have to wait to be important to help someone. Even small things count, like listening to a friend or standing up for someone who needs it. Helping people isn’t always easy, and sometimes it means giving up time, money, or comfort. But Clemente says that’s the whole point—sometimes the best thing you can do in life is help someone who needs it more than you do.

Roberto Clemente played baseball, but he was also known for doing nice things for people off the field. He died trying to fly food and supplies to people who were in trouble. That’s a big sacrifice, and it proves how serious he was about helping others.

How to use this idea

In real life, this could just mean being kind or lending a hand. You can tutor someone at school, share your food, or just be there when someone’s sad. If you’re good at something, use it for good. If you notice someone needs help and you can actually help, do it. Don’t ignore people’s struggles just because they aren’t your problem.

Over time, people remember those who did good things, not those who only cared about themselves. It’s about what you give, not what you get.

Some Quotes That Say the Same Thing“

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” – Albert Einstein“

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” – Muhammad Ali“

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Gandhi

All these just mean that life feels better when we help each other.

Good Questions to Think About

If you disappeared, would people say you made a difference?

When’s the last time you helped someone just because you could?

What’s something you’re good at that could help others?

Do you think about others more, or just yourself?

Is there something you’re afraid to give up, even if it would make life better for someone else?

Easy Exercises to Try

Try writing down one thing you did each day to help someone. Even if it’s small, it still matters. Then, try making one person’s week better, like cheering them up or helping out with something.

The River and the Stone Story

There’s a story that helps explain this. Up in a mountain, there was a stone that blocked water from flowing. The stone didn’t want to move, but the water found another way down and made the land below green and full of life. Over time, the stone just sat there and crumbled, but the water turned into a big river that everyone depended on.

The elders told their kids, “Be like the water. If you only live for yourself, you don’t matter much. To help others and give of yourself makes you live on forever.”

In the end, Clemente’s words are simple: life is about helping others, even if it’s hard sometimes. That’s what will make your life worth something.

NOTE: Growing up, I played some Little League Baseball, but I wasn't really a big baseball fan. When Roberto Clemente played, I was a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, and Roberto Clemente was my hero. To this day, I wear a Pirates Jersey with his name and number on it even though I'm no longew rddr a Pirates fan. I remember no matter what, Puerto Ricans house you entered if Clemente and the Pirates were playing the game was on. The day that he died, we were at a family gathering with well over 100 Puerto Ricans 🇵🇷 present. As soon as we heard the news, every single person at the gathering cried. It's the only time we saw my pops and uncles cry for anyone. We heard Puerto Ricans 🇵🇷 crying inside their nearby houses. That truly was a bad day.

BTW, did you know that Roberto Clemente was in a terrible car wreck, which turned him into what people say an old man. When he walked, he walked in so much pain as if he was an old man, but as soon as he walked from the locker room to play, everything changed as soon as he saw the field. It was like he just walked into the fountain of youth, and as soon as his feet touched the field, he was completely different. He felt no pain. He ran up walls to prevent a home run. To this day, he is considered the best right fielder in MLB History Hank Aaron, coming in second place 74 points behind Clemente.

If you really love something nothing not even chronic pain will stop you.

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