What are you doing for others?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"  In honor of his day today, I encourage you to reflect on this for yourself.

Maybe you are a person with a bold dream that will make the world a better place.  What can you do to keep that dream alive, continue to pursue it despite the inevitable obstacles, and enlist the help of others to support you along the way?  Many of us had big dreams earlier in life and we gave up on them for a variety of reasons.  Are your dreams worth revisiting?  You are now in a different time and place than when that dream seemed impossible and it just may be more realistic to pursue it now than it was before.

Perhaps your contributions are on a smaller scale.  You could be the breadwinner for your family, the caretaker for an elderly parent or neighbor, or the person that shines light on the dreams of others.  We all have a contribution to make and sometimes, we underestimate the impact of small acts of kindness and support.  It's possible that a smile or word of encouragement can make a big difference in someone else's day -- or even in their life.

Think about people who have had a big influence in your life.  A parent, a teacher, a boss that believed in you.  Are they aware of the impact they had?  If you've ever had someone remind you of a small act of kindness that made a big impression, you may realize something profound:  The things you do and take for granted because they are simply a reflection of who you are, matter.  They matter a lot. 

So today, take time to think about what you are doing for others.  Think about the things you are doing as part of your daily routine, your role or position in life, your responsibilities -- to yourself, your family, your team, your organization and your community.  Importantly, give yourself some credit for making a difference.

And then, think about what you can do for others.  How can you contribute to the well-being of others?  We all have a lot to give and the ability and power to make a difference.  This is a good day to think about that.