The world celebrates status, things like the fancy car, the big house, the beautiful face, or the victory. But the car deteriorates, the big house ages, the beautiful face sags and the victories we strive for often end up feeling empty.

The people who obtain the highest forms of achievement in life don’t sprint for success, but journey towards significance. They don’t journey through life and build success for themselves, but to make a difference in the lives of others, and that fire burns long after they are gone. This life of success and significance doesn’t happen on it’s own. It is a choice that must be made each and every day. A choice to be positive rather than negative, a choice to choose gratitude, not regret.

An incredible and significant life is measured not by what you do, but by what you give. You don’t need to be famous or wealthy to start. You just need to make that choice to serve where you are planted and as you are able. There are numerous historical men and women, as well as biblical figures that come to mind when I think of significance, and all of them also happen to have been humble individuals.

My friends, I encourage you to measure your own significance not just by your success and accomplishments by society’s standards, but by the difference you have made for your family, friends, and your community.

You may not think you have a lot to give and share, but by your choices, each of you are uniquely significant in your own way, and have something important to offer. Your influence, big or small, will be like the ripple on the water that can spread across the oceans and even to the ends of the earth!

Don’t try too hard to fit in or stand out, but be an optimist, focus on gratitude, and let your beautiful uniqueness self-shine through with its own significance. For when you do, the best is yet to come!