How You Can Make a Difference in Your Community
Be of service. Whether you make yourself available to a friend or co-worker, or you make time every month to do volunteer work, there is nothing that harvests more of a feeling of empowerment than being of service to someone in need. | Gillian Anderson, actress
A few months ago I heard a story about a paramedic who responded to the scene of a call where an elderly gentleman had fallen. The man was transported to the hospital, and his wife was left at home distraught. Unable to drive, she had relied on her husband for transportation everywhere from church to medical appointments. In his absence, she was unable to make it even to the grocery store. In a situation where her sole concern should have been her husband’s health, the wife was left worrying about trivial things most of us take for granted – like how she would get her next meal. That night, the paramedic went home after a very long shift. Instead of going to bed, he went straight to the kitchen. With the help of his family, the paramedic cooked, packaged and delivered a week’s worth of meals to the elderly couple’s home.
So often the littlest things can make the biggest difference. In every community there are people in need and opportunities to help. Look around and you’ll find them everywhere; a local senior longing for company, a young family trying to make ends meet. Making an impact on others’ lives doesn’t need to cost a lot of money. Sometimes helping others is just a matter of being generous with your time and energy.
Challenge yourself to make a difference this week. Be on the lookout for an opportunity to be your best self. Whether you’re making a meal for someone in need or simply holding the door for the person behind you at the grocery store – be present, be kind and never forget: even the smallest random act of kindness has the power to make a big difference.
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What has someone else done for you that they didn’t realize had a huge impact on your life?
What have you done to pay it forward and help someone else?