The Alexander City Outlook

We need more Dr. Jekylls

A few days ago I had the pleasure of sitting down and watching the 1932 version of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” This film, which featured Fredric March in an Academy Award winning performance, is a classic tale about the struggle of good and evil that exists within all of us.

The story, which is based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, chronicles the sad tale of Dr. Jekyll, a scientist whose unrelenting drive to discover the secret of man’s soul winds up destroying himself in the process.

Though most observers would describe this story in terms of good and evil, I like to think of it as a conflict between selfish and selfless tendencies that each of us experience almost on a daily basis.

Well, at least I seem to experience this conflict.

You see, I’ve recently had my own struggle between a desire to serve others and an opposite need to serve myself.

Let me explain.

Several months ago I decided to join the Kiwanis Club of Alexander City, a wonderful organization devoted to serving the needs of children in our community. I really wanted to make a difference in the lives of others and I thought this would be a good way for me to do so.

Unfortunately, things haven’t turned out exactly the way I had planned.

To be honest, no one in the club really knows who I am because I rarely attend any meetings. I’ve probably been to six meetings in the past year, which is an awful attendance record. I didn’t even attend the pancake breakfast, which is probably the most anticipated event the club puts on each year.

At this point you’re probably asking yourself, why would I join a club and then never attend meetings or participate in fundraising events?

I have plenty of the usual excuses to explain my behavior, including my busy schedule at work and the fact I’m raising two children.

All of these justifications sound so legitimate, but ultimately I know they’re based on my own convenience. To put it bluntly, they are selfish, regardless of the excuses.

As I was sitting there watching the movie, I began to think about my own Jekyll and Hyde behavior, the fact I joined a service organization and subsequently never served. What a terrible example I am for my children.

Something needs to change.

After all, what is more important than helping someone other than yourself? Isn’t the very foundation of Christianity based on a selfless act?

If you don’t already know, the answer to this question is “yes.”

My suspicion is there are a lot of people out there, including business leaders, community leaders and just plain folks, who suffer from the same “Hyde” syndrome that I do.

It’s true some of these folks don’t have a lot of time. But, I’m confident anyone can find ways to serve others and contribute to our community if they really want to make a difference.

I know I’m going to try.

In the end, selfless acts of charity are what really make life worth living. This is what all of us should focus on, regardless of our busy schedules and economic status.

If Kiwanis is not your cup of tea, then look into other organizations. However, we will welcome as many Dr. Jekylls as we can get.

Mr. Hydes need not apply.

Roger Steele is the general manager of The Alexander City Outlook. His column appears each Thursday.