Change the World Around You!

There’s a quote that says, “The world is full of good people; if you can’t find one be one.” This quote is powerful because it points to the fact that we all can change the world in some shape, form, or fashion. Whether our impacts are perceived to be big or small, we all have the ability inside of us to do something daily to change the world around us.  I want to share 3 ways that we can be the change.

 Time – We are given 24 hours in a day, 168 hours weekly.  Let’s assume you work a full-time job, now you’re left with 128 hours remaining. Of those 128 hours let’s say you sleep 8 hours a day (if this is you, please share your secret).  After accounting for sleep, there are 72 hours left in the week. Now, how do you maximize those 72 hours? Giving your time is one of the most valuable things that you can do because time is precious. In every community, there are youth that need a mentor or a big brother or sister as well people who need a meal. There are community-based programs that need volunteers. If you search, I am sure you will find opportunities to share your time. Even recently, since COVID-19 restrictions have relaxed, we have seen the return of voluntary readers for children at public libraries. There are so many opportunities and causes worth your time, in person and virtually. Often, we want to change the world and fail to realize that this change can begin right in our own backyards.

 Talent – Every one of us has a gift or talent. We all have something that comes natural to us that is not so easy for others. Some of us are gifted to cook, some to decorate, some are gifted in areas of business, science, or the arts, and others may be gifted in compassion. Whatever the gift is, it’s something that can be shared with others. Now mind you, we are trying to change the world, and we have established that change begins right in our own backyards. So, the gift that you have, imagine sharing that gift with your community and witnessing lives changed firsthand simply because you shared what you were naturally gifted or learned to do. The question is not whether you have a gift or talent, the question is are you willing to share it?

 Treasure – Some of us have been fortunate to have access to various resources. However, this section is about financial resources. There are plenty of worthy projects and organizations here in the Coachella Valley that need our support to further their efforts of changing the world around us. Now, I won’t name any specifically because I don’t want there to be a perceived bias. But there are so many opportunities for those that are fortunate enough to have financial resources to share what they have.  If by chance you can’t find an organization or project to partner with, start your own!

 Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Our Time, Talent, and Treasure are needed.  We can change the world around us with one simple four letter word:      

GIVE!