How to Do Something About What is Going On In the World?

There are seasons when the world feels heavy. I would say… we are in one of those seasons. What about you? 

The headlines are loud. The problems feel endless. The needs seem bigger than our capacity. And somewhere in that noise, I can start to believe a dangerous story:

“What we do doesn’t matter.”

That belief creates this quiet kind of stress inside me. It drains my energy. It makes me feel small in the world that feels too big.

But what if the answer is not to zoom out even further?

What if the answer is to zoom in?

The Myth of Global Impact

My generation and I were constantly told to “change the world.”
And while that sounds inspiring, it can also feel paralyzing.

Because the world is vast.

We don’t control global politics.
We don’t control economic systems.
We don’t control every injustice or tragedy.

When we try to hold all of it, we end up holding nothing.

The truth is: very few people change the entire world.

But every one of us can change our world.

And our world begins at the edge of our driveway.

The Power of the Front Yard

When we stop trying to fix everything and instead focus on what is directly in front of us, something shifts.

The free little library in the front yard becomes more than a box of books.
It becomes the symbol of generosity.

Dropping off food at our local shelter becomes more than a donation.
It becomes participation.

Helping another parent pick up their child becomes more than a favor.
It becomes community.

Giving a presentation to a small group becomes more than a speech.
It becomes ripple-making.

None of these acts trend on social media.
None of them “go viral.”

But they matter deeply. And each one of them I did this week!

And here’s the surprising part: when I started serving locally, the overwhelm decreases.

Why?

Because action dissolves helplessness.

From Overwhelm to Ownership

When we look at the entire world, we feel powerless.

When we look at our neighborhood, we feel responsible.

Responsibility is empowering.

We may not control the globe, but we can:

• Stock the little library.

• Cook an extra meal.

• Check in on a neighbor.

• Volunteer at the school.

• Support a local business.

• Offer our skills to a small group.

• Show up consistently.

That is not small.

That is leadership.

Community Is Where Leadership Becomes Real

It’s easy to talk about impact in big rooms.
It’s harder and more meaningful to practice it in small ones.

Community is where our values get tested.

Do we actually care about people?
Do we show up when it’s inconvenient?
Do we contribute when no one is watching?

Or do we sit in front of our TVs at home paralyzed and complain! 

In our neighborhood, there are no stages.
There are no applause breaks.

There is simply the opportunity to serve.

And when we serve locally, something powerful happens:

We begin to see the tangible difference we are making.

We see the books disappear from the library.
We see the gratitude from a parent who needed help.
We see the faces at the shelter.
We see the kids who feel supported.

Impact becomes visible.

And visible impact restores hope.

Small Acts Are Not Small

There is one misconception that if something doesn’t reach millions, it doesn’t matter.

But every large movement started with small, consistent acts. Last week 958 people saw my content online and another 500 people heard me in person at my keynotes. I am doing something. YOU are doing something! WE are doing something! 

Communities change cities.
Cities influence states. States shape nations.

The ripple begins at home.

When we focus on what is directly around us, we move from abstract concern to embodied contribution.

Instead of scrolling through problems, we step into solutions.

Instead of arguing about change, we become change.

Why Local Service Reduces Stress

When everything feels overwhelming, our nervous system goes into overdrive. We feel urgency without agency.

Local action restores agency.

It tells our brain:
“I can do something.”

Even if that “something” is small.

And small, repeated actions create momentum.
Momentum builds confidence.
Confidence builds hope.

Hope reduces stress.

Not because the world’s problems disappear.

But because we are no longer passive observers.

We are participants.

The Invitation: Shrink the Circle

If the world feels too big right now, shrink the circle.

Instead of asking:
“How do we fix everything?”

Ask:

• Who lives next door?

• Which school needs support?

• Which local organization could use an extra set of hands?

• What skill do we have that could serve others nearby?

• What resource could we share?

Impact doesn’t require a passport.

It requires presence.

Changing the World by Changing Our Block

There is something deeply grounding about knowing the names of our neighbors.

About contributing to the same shelter week after week.

About being known in the community not for what we post, but for how we show up.

When we focus on our neighborhood, we stop chasing significance and start practicing service.

And here’s the paradox:

When we stop trying to change the entire world and start serving our immediate community, we actually begin to change the world in the most sustainable way possible.

One street.
One family.
One act at a time.

We Do Not Need to Do Everything

We do not need to solve global crises today.

We need to do what is in front of us.

We need to do it consistently.

We need to do it with heart.

The world will always be complex.
But our responsibility can be clear.

Start where we stand.

Stock the little free library.
Deliver the food.
Pick up the child.
Give the talk.
Open the door.

And watch how overwhelm turns into purpose.

Because when we take care of our community, we are taking care of the world one manageable, meaningful piece at a time.