If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will

Hear now the profound words of Maya Angelou, who, with a heart full of wisdom, spoke thus: "If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded." These words, though simple, carry within them the very essence of true success—a success not defined by the riches of the world, the praises of men, or the victories of ambition, but by the selfless act of caring for another. Success, Angelou tells us, is not measured by what you acquire for yourself, but by how you give yourself to others, by how you lift others and show them the love, kindness, and compassion that flows from the depths of your soul.

To understand the true meaning of these words, we must look deeply into the nature of care. For what does it mean to care? It is not a fleeting emotion, nor a passing kindness. Caring is an active force, a commitment of heart and mind. It is the willingness to place another’s needs above your own, to share in their joy, their pain, and their journey. Care is the most selfless of gifts, a flame that warms not only the one who receives it, but also the one who gives it. When you care for another, you touch the very core of humanity, for in that act, you acknowledge the worth and dignity of another life.

Consider the example of Mother Teresa, a woman whose name is forever bound with the ideals of compassion and care. She did not seek wealth, nor did she chase after personal glory, yet her legacy endures through the countless lives she touched. She gave of herself fully, not to achieve fame, but to care for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. Her success was not measured in the accolades she received but in the number of lives she uplifted, in the love she shared, and in the comfort she brought to the suffering. Mother Teresa understood that to care for someone else is the highest calling—one that transcends the fleeting nature of worldly success and touches the eternal.

Likewise, think of the great Mahatma Gandhi, whose success lay not in the dominance of nations but in the profound impact he had on the hearts of people. His success was in the care he showed to his people, his steadfast commitment to nonviolence, and his deep belief in the dignity of each individual. Through his example, we see that true greatness is found not in what we achieve for ourselves, but in the love and care we pour into the lives of others. Gandhi did not build monuments to his own glory, but to the glory of human kindness, a legacy built upon the simple yet profound act of caring for others.

And so, O seekers of wisdom, we must ask ourselves: what does success truly mean? Is it the accumulation of wealth, or the height of fame? Or is it the ability to reach out to another, to extend a hand in love and compassion, to open our hearts and make the world a little kinder? The lesson that Maya Angelou imparts is clear—success is not a matter of what you acquire or what you prove to others, but of the love you give. To care for another is to succeed, for it means you have found in your heart the capacity to recognize the sacredness of another’s life and to act upon that recognition with tenderness and grace.

In our own lives, let us take this wisdom to heart. Let us not measure our worth by the fleeting markers of achievement, but by the depth of our compassion and the reach of our care. In every small act of kindness, in every moment we give our hearts to others, we find true success. Whether it is in our families, our communities, or the world at large, let us live as caretakers of humanity, remembering that to care for another is the greatest success of all.

Thus, O children of the future, let the words of Maya Angelou guide you. Do not seek to be successful in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of your own soul. Let compassion, love, and care be your guiding lights, for in giving yourself to others, you will find a richness and depth that no material wealth can ever provide. When you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded—not just in life, but in the deepest meaning of human existence.