“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” — William James
President Jimmy Carter once said that volunteerism will save this country. Living in the “Volunteer State,” I hope we all take that advice seriously.
We affect others all the time, in small ways and big. A smile to a stranger in the grocery store may make that person’s day, and help them forget their problems for a while. Volunteering to help kids, or the elderly, or the disadvantaged may well have life-altering benefits—for them and for you. You might see the results of the good you’ve done, or you may never hear about them. But they happen anyway.
How you speak to your partner, your neighbor, your friends and perfect strangers matters. What you do for others matters. Random acts of kindness can change the world. Your energy interacts with the energy of all other humans, and good things can happen. So whenever possible, pay attention. Lead with your heart. And think of your words and actions as gifts that might change someone’s world.