Why Doing Good Matters in a World That Feels Heavy

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the state of the world.

There is so much noise.
So much division.
So much pain we can’t fix all at once.

And yet — doing good matters.

Maybe now more than ever.

Kindness Is Not Weakness

Somewhere along the way, it seems kindness began to appear soft.

As if it’s optional.
As if kindness is a sort of naivety.

But I disagree with this sentiment. When we choose to be good in a world that profits from anger… this choice is not weak — it’s revolutionary.

Doing good is not about perfection.
It’s about intention.

It’s about choosing to care when it would be easier to scroll past, walk away, or say nothing.

Love Is Not a Transaction

We live in a world that loves scorekeeping.

If I give, what do I get?
If I show up, will I be seen?
If I care, will it be returned?

But real love doesn’t work like that.

Love isn’t about being repaid.
It’s about being open.
It’s about being brave enough to give of yourself without guarantees.

Goodness Lives in the Small Things

Loving others, this goodness, doesn’t have to be grand.

It looks like:

• Checking in on someone who’s gone quiet

• Holding space instead of offering quick fixes

• Making room for others to speak

• Choosing gentleness over judgment

The world isn’t changed by dramatic moments alone.
It’s changed by these small, quiet, consistent acts of care.

Advocacy Is Love in Action

Advocating for others isn’t about being loud.
It’s about being present.

It’s about noticing who isn’t in the room.
Who isn’t being listened to.
Who doesn’t have a seat at the table.

Sometimes advocacy looks like speaking up in a meeting.
Sometimes it looks like sharing opportunities.
Sometimes it’s simply refusing to stay silent when something feels wrong.

We don’t need a platform to be an advocate.
We just need a heart that refuses to look away.

Choosing Good Is a Daily Decision

We won’t get it right every time.

We’ll miss chances.
We’ll feel tired.
We’ll feel small.

But the choice is always there.

To be kinder.
To be braver.
To open our hearts anyway.

In a world that glorifies indifference, caring is courage.

The Only Thing We Truly Control

We don’t control outcomes.
We don’t control how people respond.
We don’t control whether love is returned.

But we do control what we share.

And maybe that’s enough.

Because in the end… “all we can control in this silly and wildly perfect life is the love that we choose to give out without any regard to ever getting it back in return.”

On this Thanksgiving week, an invitation to love…

Some of you know that I have supported my educator friend, Livingstone Kegode’s, school in Kenya for many years.

Recently, the school has experienced a hardship. There is a part in their water pump that was hit by lightning and for weeks, the school has not had access to water. The video below is Livingstone’s explanation of the need.

We chat regularly, and in our most recent text conversation, I asked him simply, “How much do you need now to fix the part?” Y’all. He needs USD $155. That’s all. It’s less than the cost of a pair of jeans on some of our holiday wish lists.

Can you help?

If so, here are some options:

1) Donate directly to the school.

1. Go to the Western Union App or page.

2. Select Kenya.

3. Wallet Mobile

4. MPesa

Wallet mobile number 745188581

Email: livingstonekegode@gmail.com

Address: 207 Kimilili Kenya Code 50204

2) Venmo me whatever you can contribute @juliepjones with a note that it’s for the HIP Africa School.