One of my idols is Muhammad Yunus. An economist and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, he developed the concept of microlending, to enable those too poor to qualify for traditional loans to get the capital needed for them to sustain themselves and enable ways to improve their lives. His tactics exemplify the concept of teaching a man how to fish by renting out the fishing rods. I remember first hearing about him in 2006 when he was awarded the Nobel Prize, and not for Economics, but Peace. I was refreshingly reminded again from Paulo Coelho’s feature on Yunus, and there is much we can take away from his work and perspective:
- It’s a fool’s assumption to think that people are only looking for hand outs.
It’s a greater foolish proposition to only provide that as an option, without an alternative or tool kit for people to stand on their own. Not just in terms of reducing poverty, but if people have the option of helping themselves out of a unfavorable circumstance, they would prefer to do so. - There is great power in being able to provide small changes on a grand scale.
It takes a snowflake to start an avalanche. - You are not contained in what you practice and study.
Your propensity to do good and create change can stretch beyond your title, occupation, or area of study. Your potential rides on your passion, and your passion has wings that knows no bounds. - There are many definitions of love and compassion.
The balance of a hand that guides and a hand that feeds depends on the owner of the hand. As long as it is a hand that leads and loves, good comes out of it. - People just need a chance and someone to believe in their worth and success.
There is possibility in all that we do to change a life, whether others or our own.
What moves you to do what you do? Do you see any untapped potential you have yet to fulfill in your life? Please share.
There is a non-profit organization called Kiva, that operates off Muhammad’s ideals of micro-financing. Kiva’s mission is to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world. Take time to learn of their efforts.
(photo credit – WeHeartIt)
