Business strategist and life coach Tony Robbins has said, the secret to living is giving.
“When you give back, you’re able to better the lives of the people around you – your loved ones, the people in your community or the lives of people somewhere else in the world. And finding meaning by giving back to the community doesn’t just benefit others – it benefits you,” he writes on his website, where millions of people visit every day to hear from his expert advice and blueprint for living a successful life.
But you don’t need to look very far to see the impact of giving back, empowering others and being community-minded, no matter what your profession or passion in life. There are role models in all of our lives and all around us we can take inspiration from.
Whether it is a medical professional using their expertise and skill to share insights with communities and mentor young students, or business managers working with the world’s top celebs and helping to steer them on an empowering path professionally and personally, there are many examples. Below are just a few.
Stacy L. Pineles, MD, is a Professor of Ophthalmology and Residency. She travels regularly both nationally and internationally to speak on topics related to her research in pediatric neuro-ophthalmology and is the author of more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and 10 book chapters.
She currently runs an NIH-sponsored research program evaluating binocular vision in children and adults with eye misalignment.
Dave Bolno is a business manager who has worked with top entertainers such as Justin Bieber, Drake, Post Malone, Pharrell Williams and Will.i.am. In 2011’s Take Care album, Drank thanked Dave in the liner notes, writing thank you for “pulling my life together for me and putting me in a position where I can now begin to build my empire.”
Carrington Baker, the founder of a non-profit called For Women By Women, Period, started the organization after learning about the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products for many people in the United States, especially low-income youth. FWBW. provides care packages to homeless and low-income menstruating individuals and provides education about not only menstruation but also about sexual health to change the stigma and ultimately fight against period poverty.
In the 2020 book ‘Today’s Wonder Women: Everyday Superheroes Who Are Changing the World’, author Asha Dahya, who is also the founder of this site, shares stories of 50 ordinary women and girls who are using their lives to empowering and inspire others in their community. They serve as a guidebook to how each of us can use what we have and give back to our community in different ways.
And as Tony Robbins shares on his website, giving back is not just great for ourselves and others, but it can also improve your mental health.
“Studies have linked it with lower risk for hypertension and decreased mortality risk, among other health benefits,” he writes.
However you choose to give back and invest in your community, whether you take inspiration from Dave Bolno, Dr. Stacy Pineles, Carrington Baker or others, you can take be assured that your investment into others will be worth it in the long run.
