I was adopted as an infant and raised by good folks. They provided everything I needed and taught me a work ethic in their business. But nothing about real life, or living. What I needed was a mentor. Someone that cared but was also not responsible for my upbringing.
If you can become a mentor for young adults or even children, you can have an enormous influence on their lives. Teach them right from wrong, show them how to do things, and most of all explain why people behave the way they do. Tell them not all folks are rocket scientists, and not all folks process their thoughts the same way others do. But they are good people anyway. Most of us can think of a time where even a single brief word of encouragement at the right time had a profound positive influence on us. Be that person who is there for someone at the right time.
Become a Big Brother, or a Boy Scout troop leader, or 4H leader, or coach a team. Or volunteer at a suicide prevention center, anything. Something that will bring you into contact with younger folks and give you the opportunity to set the example. Ultimately you might end up having a greater legacy than if you had a bushel of your own kids.
