Thomas A. Nazario
  • Home
  • Bio
  • The Forgotten International
  • Doing Good
  • Publications
  • Contact

Tom's Blog

From time to time, I will share a story about someone I have recently met or comment on something from current events. All has some relevance to the giving to and the caring of others. 

CONTACT

For Father's Day

6/13/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
One of the things we try to do at The Forgotten International is to search for people around the world who unselfishly decide to give of themselves to others, who are truly honest, hardworking and committed to a mission that is not only sustainable in practice but also sustains them through life. Miguel Rodriguez, who runs La Comunidad de Niños Sagrada Familia in Lima, Peru, is just that kind of individual, and all who have met him have said that he is truly a saint. We interviewed him for a profile in our book Living on a Dollar a Day. He said:

"In all of us exists the hope of creating a new world. It's been 21 years since I came to believe in that world, to believe in humanity, to believe in God. But before - I did not. Before, I believed in me. It was me first, me second, me third, me always.... Then my son died...I believe in a new world now - a different world."

The son that Miguel speaks of died when he was still a little boy, and it was at that difficult time of his son’s death that Miguel realized that although he could not save his son, there were so many other children that he could save who were worth saving. So it was with that in mind that he created an orphanage for abandoned, orphaned and wayward children. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a tragedy to wake people up about what is important in shaping their lives. Miguel decided that what was important in his life was others, and that is why I wanted to take a moment to honor him as a father and as a man. His profile is featured in the chapter called “Hope” and it is people like him that give all of us some hope and strength.


0 Comments

For All the New Graduates

6/5/2014

0 Comments

 
It's that time of year again when young people are graduating and going out into the "real" world. For what it's worth, I want to offer some thoughts. Some time ago, I was asked to give a talk to a group of undergraduates on "How to Create a Meaningful Life." The talk itself went on for about an hour, too long to encapsulate here, nevertheless below are the key points I tried to make to the students:
  • It's never too early or too late to begin constructing a meaningful life for yourself.
  • The first step is learning more about yourself and identifying your unique talents, interests, resources and passions. In other words, figuring out what you bring to the world.
  • Pay attention to things that enrich your life and the lives of others. Do them more often, and avoid things that waste your time and do not benefit others.
  • Keep a journal or a record of that which you experience in life, and the conversations you have with yourself. Note events or gifts for which you are grateful and be grateful for everything you have.
  • Don't dwell on negative emotions or disappointments of the past, learn from them and move on. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
  • Share yourself with others. Help and contribute to the betterment of the human condition and the state of our planet. Try to do no harm. Lead an honorable life and make the world better for having been here.
  • Love and allow yourself to be loved.
The good news is that many of us underestimate the amount of good we do for others. People often remember the little things--a kind word, a thoughtful gesture. At the end of the day, your life will be made up of a few big moments--your graduations, your wedding day, the birth of your children--and thousands of small moments. Be kind to others, be involved whenever you can, and be awake to what's going on in the world around you. Good luck!

0 Comments

    Author

    Tom Nazario is an author, speaker, attorney, law professor, child advocate, and nonprofit foundation president

    Archives

    August 2016
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories

    All
    #compassion
    #feelingblessed
    #livingonadollaraday
    #socialjustice

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.