If today were my last day on Earth and I could share 500 words of brilliance with the world, here are the important things I'd want to pass along to others...

The biggest thing I have learned is that it takes how little it takes to make a big difference for others. The simplest gesture of giving a stranger a smile can shift their entire day. I have jumped feet first into trying to help orphans in Haiti, and I have none of the tools I would expect someone doing this would have. I don't even speak French or Creole. I don't have a lot of time, or a lot of money. What I do have though is drive, and I am discovering that every day it is possible to make some progress for children far away.

I would suggest that if everyone were to take a moment and think of something wrong they would like to change in the world someone out there is doing that very thing full time and needs encouragement, perhaps some of your time, and more than likely some money. It only takes one quarter to feed a child a nutrient-rich meal through the programs I have found. When someone asks you for a donation think about it... brother, could you spare a quarter has become something I say all of the time now. Perhaps you could afford a small donation of time or money. That in itself brings you, and them, joy.

Finally, the largest resource I have discovered is our youth. High school students are idealistic and often underutilized to create change. Imagine a world where everyone learned as a young person how good it feels to help others... it would be a far better place than it is today. I will measure my accomplishments in the future when I see if my children are helping others. If they are then I will know that I have truly made a difference.