What if all you ever wanted to do was make a difference in this world? But what if every where you turned you were faced with personal attacks and tragedy? Think you might get discouraged and give up? Burn-out is all too common a malady in public service, whether it is elected office or nonprofits.
But this article is about what one man's life can teach us all about perseverance.
What if you were the youngest child in a large family? What if your older brothers were always excelling? Perhaps you might find it a challenge to stand out; to be your own person.
What if you witnessed not one, but three of your brothers death; two of them brutally murdered for doing what was right? Perhaps you would be afraid to step out and take up their legacy for fear of your own life.
What if every time you accomplished something someone was there to remind you of the private mistakes you had made (and we all make them)? Perhaps you might crave the anonymity of doing nothing instead? All of those things describe Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts.
But despite those obstacles, he was one of the longest serving and most prolific politicians of our time.
For four decades, he continued to serve as a voice for the poor, ethnic minorities and children of the United States and the world.
He was not afraid to stand alone for what was right, but he was powerful statesmen that could form alliances with adversaries as well as colleagues.
So what lessons does this man's life hold for those of us in public service? 1) You don't have to be perfect to make a difference.
As a man Senator Kennedy had many flaws and his public work meant that he was often reminded of them.
For every high profile bill that was passed because of his support there were always whispers of his personal faults.
Yet despite these attacks, he continued to serve.
Was it easy? Probably not, but the results speak for themselves.
2) Someone has to do it.
There are battles to be fought.
Sometimes the ones for whom we fight lack the voice to do so for themselves.
It was with a huge sense of duty that Edward Kennedy and his family took up that gauntlet to serve those without a voice.
For many of us in the public sector, this same sense of duty rules our lives.
If we don't do it, who will? 3) Make friends of your foes.
He knew that his views and opinions might elicit anger and disgust from friends and foes.
But he also knew that those same people could be his strongest allies in the next battle.
He managed to maintain close and cordial friendships with all.
We could all take a lesson from this one.
If you work long enough or hard enough in the public sector, I can promise you that you too will come under personal and public attacks for what you do; even and especially if it is successful at making a difference in people's lives.
Decide now in the quiet, calm before the storm that you like Senator Kennedy will not be turned from what you know is right.
Because trust me, if you have not decided before hand it will be all too easy to simply give up and turn your back on what you know is the right path.
You will have friends and family telling you that you don't need all this for trying to do good.
You will feel discouraged and may believe that nothing you do makes a difference.
You will be seduced by the lure of false serenity found in abandoning the fight.
But we can all take lessons from this great man's life and persevere as he did.