I could talk about paying taxes and growing some of my food and volunteer work and recycling... but I don't want to overlook the most important contribution of all.

A student in my middle class asked me this question about himself, "What do I contribute to the world?"

He told me that he could do nothing and life was not worth living.

I tried an alternative approach and asked him if he knew how to shit. He say, "Yeah!"

I asked him, "Do you like it?"

He said, "Uh huh."

I said, "Always remember there are people in the who would love to be able to shit like that but can't.... And keep eating your vegetables."