Great post, but the first sentence makes me ask some things...
Is it greedy to strive for more $$ in your career, by going back to school for a degree or gaining more knowledge through CE?
Is it greedy to want to have some excess money left over from one's paycheck, as to not be living paycheck to paycheck?
Is it greedy to have a savings account?
Is it greedy to invest excess $$ for one's retirement?
Is it greedy to buy a second home?
Your second sentence is so true. I have been on thinking roll about this very thing, trying to come up with more ideas on how to be effective. My daughter, the social worker, is here for a few days and I am picking her brain.
Your third sentence is so true.
Miss Kitty:
I don't think any of these things makes one greedy. IMO greed is an attitude or a perspective from inside one's self. It is not the things one acquires that make one greedy, it is the attitude about those things and the attitude one has towards others.
A good example to me is the developer who comes into South Walton. He or she does whatever necessary to get the proper permits; cares nothing about destroying wetlands; removes trees needlessley, tries to plant non-native trees and plants to replace the native ones he had destroyed; builds houses too close together; sometimes uses inferior materials and workmanship; and then sells the properties at a huge profit or walks away from the project when the market falls and the property won't sell.
This developer takes his profit and goes onto the next venue with no thought for the damage he has left behind in the community from which he received his money.
Another developer comes in and works with the community so that his project is compatible with the community; meets with the neighbors to get buy-in from them; modifies some plans if it makes a difference; works with the natural ecosystem to perserve it; and then contributes to the local hospitals, libraries, schools, or protection services; sometimes because rules say they must, often because they realize it is good business.
Both of these developers make money. But only one the first one is greedy IMO. The second is not greedy because they have added value to the community from which they received their profit. They receive value not only in money, but in the good will of the people. They demonstrate an understanding of what it means to be a good steward of the land and they value the relationships they form with the people.
I hope we will hear what your daughter's perspective on this question is. It is something we have tackeled in an Ethics class. The students amaze me! They almost always get it and it is refreshing to see that many of the college students today are enthusiastic about both public service and the environment. They want to work together so that our world is a better place for all of us. It is refreshing.
The article was very interesting!!! Greeds Hurts....so true!
