The purpose of life, wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson, is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.

That’s the purpose of my life.

Anne Frank, who was 14 when she died, wisely reminded us in her diary that no one ever became poor by giving. It was Charles Dickens who said no one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of others.

My cardiologist asked me a few months ago what was the best exercise for my heart after my open-heart surgery. I surprised myself a little bit by answering quickly – my subconscious seemed to know what to say –  that there is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down to the needy and vulnerable and lifting them up.

She was startled, but she said it made some sense. Doctors, she said, are not trained to think that way.

Well, she added, just be as active as you can, ok? I am, I said, I am.

You can walk 10 miles a day if you want, but I believe there has been nothing better for my heart than the work I am doing with the good people we call The Army Of Good. I am told that my heart is strong, perhaps it’s stronger than my brain. I feel that it is strong, I don’t need a machine for that.

Getting old can be a trap if I start to think I have superior wisdom to pass along to others, especially the young.

I am not wise, but I am experienced. Experience is worth passing on, advice almost never is.

I am learning to give cheerfully and accept graciously. Not for ourselves alone are we born, said Cicero (Non-Nobis solum nati sumus.)

We have nothing but what we give. Charity isn’t about mercy, it’s about love. I see that at the Mansion every day.

Zinnia has come into my life, I believe, to show me how to make joy.

I got an e-mail from a reporter last week asking me what I have learned about life that I would like to pass along. Nothing, I’ve said, I have no wisdom to offer other people, we all have to find our own way. I don’t give advice about how to live, I’m the last person who should.

The most important lesson I can remember learning is that only the strong get help. The weak almost never do. And I came to understand also that help helps.