UNITED STATES—There’s a saying in life, “You’re never too old to learn something new.” That concept is something that is resonating with me lately. We live in a world where we become so enthralled, entangled, consumed with our own problems, we never take a small second to examine, “Well, things could be much worse.”  I mean our lives might be much better off than we expect, but we never look at things that way.

We are a narcissistic culture. Its all about me, me and me, forget about you, you, you. Why is that? Are we taught at a very early age to put our needs first before anyone else? For most people, the answer to that question is yes. It’s sad, but so very true. I just think of the stories that I’ve seen on television, that I read in the news and it hits me.

Geez, I should be grateful for the life that I have because it’s not so bad after all. I’m not living in a third world culture, where I have no idea from one day to the next if I’ll have food to eat at night. I don’t have to worry about shelter or being kidnapped by a dictator who is out to prove a point. Many of us never, even consider these basic ideals on a daily basis.

Perhaps the thing that makes this conversation even worse is the constant exploitation that the media (online, print, social media places) on celebrities who overspend, party it up and lavishly live life. I’m not saying these media outlets should stop covering such things; its maybe not put so much emphasis on them. I mean do we really need to know what Kim Kardashian and Kanye West did for their daughter’s first birthday. Do we need to know how much money was spent at a lavish event? No. These are things that are all so irrelevant, but we’ve become observed in this bubble of ecstasy. What can I do to make my life bigger and better than it already is?

I mean I saw this story about a 12-year old and his little 8-year-old sister from Michigan who has volunteered their weekends to helping the homeless, and it struck, what can I do to assist society? I mean if little kids can have such an instrumental impact, why is it so impossible for me to do the same?

I mean after seeing that story my mind just starting exploding with ideas: what can I do to give back, what can I do to make a difference. It doesn’t have to be something on a massive scale; sometimes it’s the smallest things we do that have the biggest impacts. Through my actions, I might be able to inspire or get someone else to take action as well. Change is not implemented by one person solely, it’s by multiple people, but one person can get the ball rolling.

I guess the notion I want to leave with all is never dismiss your blessings, never think you’re too young or too old to learn something, but above all, realize that we are all capable of making a difference during our lifetime. It’s just a question if we’re willing to take a moment to forget about our own lives and to think about others.