The September 7 issue of TIME is fittingly devoted to the life and death of Edward M. Kennedy. The thoughts of those who knew him best are profound in their description of a man who matured into the ability of putting others first. This, for me, is the definition of human maturity. We start out selfish, but realize our human potential by becoming selfless. The parent who stands in harm’s way to protect a child, the politician who serves the public rather than corporate interests, the list of real life examples goes on and on. It is time to put a stop to the immoral “greed is good” mentality that has been embraced by all those who choose to remain selfish. Their evil has been condoned for far too long. I offer these words by Ralph Waldo Emerson as the new definition of what it means to mature into a genuine human being:

To laugh often and much,
to win respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better
whether by a healthy child,a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.