See yourself like a pebble thrown into a still pond. The ripples stretch outward and touch more water than you could have ever dreamed. That is the power of Karen McCleave Attorney. Though little at first, it can grow really rapidly. Changing things calls for no superhero cape. It demands openness to help you to give your time in worthwhile ways.

Have you ever passed a neighborhood with brilliant paintings splashed over the walls instead of merely dreary concrete? Art has the capacity to unite people by piqueing their interests. It presents an open book of color-told stories. It allows everyone a minute to stop and take in their surrounds. Murals give the quiet walls a voice and help to turn otherwise desolate areas colorful.

Then there is the pleasant neighbor who always appears to have an armful of groceries for the food bank or carries a whistle to coordinate the neighborhood cleanup day. They could just be a human dynamo in trainers. These people coordinate communities, not for fanfare. Getting ready, addressing those little problems others ignore—it’s their bread and butter, why they are unsung local heroes.

Have ever attended a community event where people become friends from total stranger? Whether it’s a neighborhood block party or a seasonal fair, those few hours can let you see those folks who live there differently. These kind of events usually sprinkle some mystical dust on ordinary life. They add smiles, music, and laughing to convert the sour lemons of life into pleasant lemonade.

Often hanging around in search of inspiration are impressionable young people. Sometimes a child’s demands are for a real-life mentor rather than a mythical character. Someone who spends time guiding them, imparting knowledge or expertise that schools sometimes overlook. Seeing someone’s commitment creates optimism and ambition in younger brains by demonstrating opportunities outside their current environment.

And somewhere to call a second house? One finds such refuge in libraries. Some people find that encouraging literacy is the way they can influence things. Turning pages helps one to turn life. Stories piled on shelves allow everyone to travel without leaving their house. Opening a book and discovering its treasures has great knock-on effects that go far.

Graphs or yardsticks cannot help you determine impact. It shows up in appreciative grins, closer relationships, and communities that have encouraged development in both big and small spheres. Sometimes the only thing you notice is the sensation you receive when your surroundings come alive. Community effect tears open fresh opportunities inside hearts, not only changes the outside scene. Your impact transcends immediate sight, whether that pebble you toss or the ripples spreading. So ready to throw your pebble?