I found this quote by Katharine Hepburn that I thought was worth sharing.
So often our actions are dependant on what we expect to get in return. Look at the way governments around the world hand out international aid to those nations who are desperately in need. So often selfish agendas such as international trade, dictate which nations we're likely to jump in and help. Sometimes such motives are articulated; sometimes they are not. As a world community, our motives are just always seem to be mixed up.Where's the solution? I firmly believe that the solution lies within each one of us; our attitudes and our motives towards others, and it starts with the way we love.
Love is undoubtedly the greatest of all human qualities, and is indeed an attribute of God himself. It involves unconditional service to others. Love is at the cornerstone of who we are as a school community. As a Christian school we follow Jesus' command to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself."
However, expressing love by giving to others can only be true love when we look past the rewards that are on offer. We need to understand the way in which we were created to function; people who demonstrate faith, hope and love. Our faith in God gives us a firm foundation from which to operate, our hope is the attitude and focus of who we are, and love is the way in which all this is acted out. When faith and hope are in line, we can be free to love completely because we understand how God loves. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. It's only possible to practice this kind of love only if God helps us set aside our own desires and instincts, so that we can give love while expecting nothing in return.