I remember once telling my grad-school mentor that I wasn’t sure whether to be a writer or teach writing courses. She asked me, “what do you want to give back?”
I wondered: what DID I want to give back; what did I HAVE to give back?
I decided I would like to give back a feeling for and an appreciation of metaphor. I would like to give back soft landings on hard surfaces or grass runways. I would like to give back an ear to listen. I would like to give back serenity.
I want to give back an acceptance of all human beings, even those different from me. I want to give back life.
John and Lisa's Blue Skies Blog - Soaring with God 
What are your thoughts?