As a kid growing up, I heard a lot about my grandmother (my mother's mom) who was very generous by nature and helped a lot of people. She supported many charities, paid for schools for children from poor families, fed many families and homeless people, and basically took care of practically everyone whom she met! My grandmother had a large household and estate, with lots of people running the place every day. She passed away before I was born so I never got to meet her, but all the staff, her children and grandchildren (I am the youngest one), have told me so many wonderful things about her. She was truly inspiring and my mom adored her. She was never in the public eye, but she gave so much and so often, that she epitomized true service to me, giving straight from your heart and with good intention always.
My favorite uncle was an ambassador and also very well educated and well traveled. His whole life was in public service. The rest of my family stayed in the private sector mostly, apart from service in the RAF. My mother has always emphasized giving to me at a very early age. I feel that service is part of my 'growing up' and contributing in hopefully some meaningful way in the world. She taught me early on at three and four years old how to give and reinforced that over the years. I feel very proud of her the more I interact with people in the world. It is a tremendous spirit.
I have a strong creative pull. It is a driving force for me - to create and imagine new things! I love business and creating individual works for exactly that reason. I also find a strong calling to service. Giving back through public service and private endeavors, I think, is at least how I wish to spend a good part of my life going forward. As a young kid, I wanted to be a veterinarian. :) It is a labor of love and now at this age, I am happy to promote and support animal conservation organizations and create a network to help in the care of animals and stewardship of our beautiful planet.
It does not seem enough to me, but it's a start. Thanks for reading. :)