There’s something special that happens when you give, not out of obligation, but out of love. It shifts something inside of you. Giving is more than handing over a few dollars or volunteering once a year. True giving is about presence, intention, and sometimes even sacrifice.

I remember a time when I was a young officer and noticed a boy standing on the sidewalk without shoes in the dead of winter. His jacket was two sizes too small and zipped halfway up to hide the missing buttons. I didn’t have much at the time—I was living paycheck to paycheck like most new recruits, but I went into my trunk, pulled out a spare hoodie, and gave it to him. It wasn’t a big deal to me. But years later, that same kid, now a grown man, approached me at an event and said, “You probably don’t remember me, but I’ll never forget you. That night you gave me hope.”

That’s when I realized: Giving doesn’t just meet needs, it builds bridges. It plants seeds of hope in someone else’s storm.

We live in a world that often measures success by what we accumulate. But I’ve come to learn that real success is found in what we give away.. our time, our attention, our kindness. That’s the legacy that lasts. Not your bank account, not your resume. But the lives you’ve touched along the way.

Here’s the lesson:

You never know what how many bags someone is carrying. A kind word, a small gesture, or even five minutes of your undivided attention could be the very thing that helps them hold on for one more day. Giving isn’t about solving someone’s whole life, it’s about showing up in a way that reminds them they matter.

So, the next time you’re wondering if your small act makes a difference, remember: A candle loses nothing by lighting another. Give anyway. Give often. And give with your whole heart.

Random Act of Kindness Spotlight:

Today, drop off a handwritten thank-you note to someone who works behind the scenes, maybe the janitor at your gym or work, the night shift nurse at the local hospital, your flight attendant on your next flight or the crossing guard at your child’s school. Let them know they’re seen and appreciated. Michael Pellegrino
Founder
Resilient Minds On The Front Lines, Inc.