As the world grows, it's more important than ever to teach your children to care about others more than themselves. When children are made aware of the importance of helping others, they become better rounded and emotionally aware. They become more productive leaders.

Beyond our sheltered existence

One of the most extraordinary lessons I learned as a child was to be aware of how others less fortunate lived. Having grown up in an upper middle class suburb, there wasn't anyone I knew who wanted for much. We all had nice homes, safe neighborhoods, fresh food, clean water and more clothes and toys and books than we really needed.

So in 1968, my dad drove us all down through the Deep South to see Martin Luther King's gravesite in Atlanta.

There, I saw very poor black people in shacks, signs that promoted lynching, separate restaurants and bathrooms -- poverty, pain and sadness that I had never had faced. This experience truly opened my eyes, and made me grateful for what I had. That sight -- that example -- has stuck with me my whole life, and when I'm on the pity pot about something, Ican quickly remember how fortunate I am.

Knowing what matters

Live with great wealth if you can -- but also be happy with the important things in life such as love, family, friends... and even a great cup of coffee, should your fortune dwindle. If all your happiness is based only upon what you have in a material sense, your happiness will fade quickly.

My kids were recently discussing their futures: what they wanted to have, and what so and so had, and how cool that was. Without criticizing them, I decided that now was the time to bring up what I call a "balancing story." It balances material thought with awareness and deeper thinking.

I told them about my trip to Mexico one summer. I had been at a conference in San Diego and we took the bus to Tijuana where we found many poor, begging children on the street. We were told that these kids were kept out of school and taught to beg because the families needed money. In our tour of the area, we saw that the homes were like shacks, and the clothes on the children were dirty and worn.

My children asked a lot of questions about Tijuana, and wanted to know about the kids and why they were so poor. This led to a whole discussion that I'm sure opened their eyes to a different world -- and hopefully gave them a better appreciation of their life.

Broaden their perspectives

Find ways in your everyday life to broaden your children's' thinking. Help them want to make a difference in the world by playing their part, even if their focus has been on making money and achieving success financially. It's okay -- they can have drive, money, opportunity and contribute to and care about others.

Here are 10 ways to help:

1. Have your kids help you take cans of food to a local pantry or shelter, and show them around the facitliy.
2. Have a yard sale and ask them sell to some of the toys and clothing they no longer need or want, and have each child contribute a portion of the money to a charity of their choice.
3. Have them spend some time with a grandparent -- we're all aging more quickly than we think.
   
4. During holidays, contribute to a cause in your child's name, and let them see the thank you notice in the newspaper or on the charity's website.
5. Have your child contribute to locks for love, giving their hair to make wigs for those with cancer.
6. Do a walk or race as a family -- or work on the sidelines of a walk or race.
7. Go to benefits and rummage sales that benefit others.
8. Teach your kids to make hand-decorated picture frames, crocheted items, bracelets and other crafty items -- then sell them and donate the proceeds to charity.
9. See if your local church or synagogue offers opportunities to help those in need.
10. If you are traveling, take some time to show your kids how others less fortunate live.

The list goes on, but these suggestions should get you on your way.

Enjoy what your children will learn from your active example, and take pride in the fact that you'll be teaching them how to be well-rounded kids now -- and, later, responsible young people and adults.