“Work and live to serve others, to leave the world a little better than you found it and garner for yourself as much peace of mind as you can. This is happiness.”
–David Sarnoff
Less than twenty miles from my home, near Lake Wales, Fla., is located a magnificent example of what can happen when people live by those words. The place is called Bok Tower Gardens, and it is one of the most beautiful places in the entire state. In the center of this wonderful and beautiful sanctuary for wildlife, plants and people stands a magnificent 205 foot high tower that houses a carillon with 60 bronze bells. Bok Tower Gardens, which was dedicated on Feb. 1, 1929, was a gift from Edward Bok, a successful editor and philanthropist who was following the advice of his grandmother, who instructed each of 13 children and all of her grandchildren to, “Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.”
The story of Edward Bok’s grandparents is one of the most inspiring stories I have ever read or heard. As a young couple, they set up residence on a barren sand island just five miles off the Dutch coast. It was a grim place without any trees or other living vegetation. The young couple decided to devote their lives to making the island a place of beauty. They began planting trees and continued to do so for the 50 years they lived on the island. Soon birds began to flock to the island by the thousands. As the trees and the bird population grew, word began to spread around the world of this beautiful place with so many beautiful birds. Ornithologists and artists from all over the world came to visit this place and marvel at its beauty. American artist William M. Chase declared that, “In all the world today, there is no more beautiful place.” The legacy of the grandparents was passed on to the four corners of the earth through their children and grandchildren, most of whom honored those precious words of Edward Bok’s grandmother and left behind a tangible asset for humanity that they had created.
Edward Bok was only six years old in 1870 when he left the Netherlands with his family to begin a new life in America. As the young boy prepared to embark on his journey, his grandmother gave him the same instructions that she had given to all other family members. She told him to, “Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.” Bok was editor of The Ladies’ Home Journal for 30 years, and he worked for good causes throughout his life. But during his years of success as an author, editor and philanthropist, Edward Bok never forgot those powerful words of his grandmother, and before his death, he had fulfilled his grandmother’s instructions by giving to the world beautiful Bok Tower Gardens.
Imagine how different the world would be if more people resolved that one of their goals in life would be to make the world a little better or more beautiful. I truly believe that people who do so are far happier than those who focus on selfish goals.
Think about it.
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Copyright 2025
Allen W. Smith
