To be in any way a positive contribution, that's all anybody

Hear the words of Angelina Jolie, who spoke with a voice both tender and resolute: “To be in any way a positive contribution, that's all anybody wants to be. It's all I've ever wanted to be. I wanted to be an artist, be a mother. You want to feel that in your life you've been of use, in whatever way that comes out.” In this confession lies the ancient desire of the human heart—the yearning not merely to live, but to matter; not merely to exist, but to contribute. It is the cry that echoes across generations: “Let my days not be wasted, let my life add light to the world.”

The origin of this saying lies in Jolie’s journey, not only as a celebrated actress, but as a woman who sought purpose beyond the stage. She became known not just for her art but for her tireless humanitarian work, for adopting children, for speaking on behalf of refugees, for carrying her private love of motherhood into a public mission of compassion. She understood that fame and artistry are fleeting, but the chance to be a positive contribution endures. Her words reflect the wisdom of one who has stood in both the glitter of the spotlight and the quiet truth of service.

History gives us countless witnesses to this truth. Consider the life of Florence Nightingale, born into privilege, yet called to tend the wounded of war. She could have lived for ease and admiration, yet her heart hungered for usefulness. She transformed the world of medicine through compassion and discipline, leaving behind not only healing in her time but a legacy that reshaped nursing itself. Nightingale, like Jolie, embodied the principle that the truest desire of the soul is to be of use—to give, to heal, to create, to love.

The meaning of Jolie’s words also pierces the illusion of glory. Many chase wealth, recognition, or power, believing these to be the highest prizes. But her testimony reminds us that such pursuits alone leave the spirit empty. What the heart truly longs for is the assurance that one’s presence mattered—that because you lived, someone’s burden was eased, someone’s spirit was lifted, someone’s path was lit. Whether through art, through motherhood, through friendship, or through labor, it is this sense of usefulness that crowns a life with dignity.

Yet let us not mistake her words as meant only for the famous. Every life holds this potential. The teacher who inspires a child, the craftsman who builds with care, the parent who nurtures in love, the neighbor who listens with patience—all are positive contributions, no less worthy than those made upon great stages. Jolie’s words remind us that usefulness is not measured by scale, but by sincerity. To serve even one soul faithfully is to tip the balance of the world toward good.

The lesson is clear: seek not only achievement, but contribution. Ask yourself not merely, “What can I gain?” but, “What can I give?” For in giving, we find the meaning that no prize can provide. Life is not judged by the length of our days nor the height of our fame, but by the depth of our usefulness. To live well is to live so that when your name is remembered, it is spoken with gratitude.

Practically, this means cultivating daily acts of service and creation. Let your art, whatever form it takes, be offered with honesty. Let your work be done with care, knowing it ripples outward in ways unseen. Let your relationships be tended with love, for to raise even one heart from despair is to have contributed beyond measure. And if you are uncertain of your path, begin with small steps—smile, serve, listen, create. Each act, however small, is a brick laid upon the foundation of a meaningful life.

So let us carry forward the wisdom of Angelina Jolie: “You want to feel that in your life you've been of use.” This is not only her desire, but the desire of every human soul. May we live with this in mind—that our lives are not ours alone, but seeds planted in the soil of the world. And if we nurture those seeds with love, then when our days are done, we will know we have not merely lived, but contributed, and in that contribution, we will find eternal peace.