This past week, we observed a national holiday in honor of someone whose life left a deep impact on our country. While discussing that, one of his famous quotes came up for discussion:
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’
That one hits me. Because if I’m being honest, it’s easy to get wrapped up in me.
My schedule.
My to-do list.
My hobbies.
My timeline.
But that quote doesn’t ask what I’ve done for myself. It challenges me to look outward; toward the people I’ve been given to love, lead, and serve.
And it’s not just a nice idea. It’s a gut check.
What have I done for my bride lately?
What have I done for my son?
What have I done for my co-workers?
What have I done for the people in my community who won’t be able to return the favor?
I’m probably never going to change the trajectory of a nation.
But I can make a positive impact on my corner of it.
It reminds me of a story you may have heard before:
A big storm had passed through, washing thousands of starfish up onto the beach. After it passed, a man was walking along the shore, tossing one starfish back into the ocean at a time.
Someone stopped him and asked,
“Why are you wasting your time? You’ll never make a difference. There's so many of them.”
The man bent down, picked up another starfish, and tossed it into the water.
“It made a difference to that one,” he said.
That’s the kind of life I want to live.
One where the people around me feel seen. Helped. Valued.
I saw a sign recently that said:
“The world is better because you’re in it.”
And someone once told me that should be a question, not a statement.
So I’ll leave you with that same question today:
Is the world better because you’re in it?
If not, let’s do something about that - starting today.
Rusty is the founder of The Master’s Lawn & Pest and writes Rusty’s Corner as a space to reflect on the lessons he’s learning in life and business. If we can help you with your landscape or pest control, please call/text our office here, or fill our our online form here.