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I could live without a TV, but I have one sitting in the same room that I am typing this blog. The $1000 I spent on that slick LCD TV could have immunized about 58 children from 6 major childhood diseases according to UNICEF. Is it wrong that I bought the TV? Peter Singer, a philosophy professor at Princeton, probably would say yes. He formulated that it was immoral to consume beyond a comfortable level when the same money could be used to save lives.

While it may be unrealistic to merely live at a comfortable level and to donate the rest to charity, in my opinion, it is insightful to contemplate the extremes of “being good.” It is complicated though since where does the extreme line start anyway? Does Warren Buffett qualify as being extreme? I could not imagine giving up $30 billion, even if that was “only” 60% of my net worth. He is still rich, but how much does that discount what he donated?

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People have all kinds of excuses for living an unhealthy life style, but those excuses do not hold up as well when you put them in perspective of doing harm not only to yourself, but to others. Being good to others is a good way to be good to yourself simultaneously. Although being good to others is often thought of as a charitable, totally altruistic thing, it reaps benefits for the actor as much as the receiver. Ever give someone a gift unexpectedly? Open a door for someone who had their hands full? Even small actions get you a heartfelt thanks and brings a smile to your own face. If that is not enough, there are some things anyone can do in their everyday actions that give more tangible and larger rewards to you and others.

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