Any of you who have participated in my photography classes know, that I am an absolute believer that each of us can make this world a better place.
You can even use your photography skills to make this world better by serving the community, whether it is volunteering for some nonprofit community organization or taking on some personal project to help others. I occasionally post volunteer opportunities on my website.
I believe we all have opportunities to make this world a better place, even through simple actions. Actually, you don’t even necessarily have to seek out those opportunities. I believe those opportunities find us. We just have to be aware and open to the possibilities.
For example, if you volunteer at an animal shelter, you could volunteer to photograph the animals to help them find loving homes. Or you could volunteer to photography homeless individuals and families like we did last year. The opportunities are endless.
These opportunities go way beyond just photography. With some friends, we decided to create a group at my studio that meets on Monday nights to discuss different books, TED talks, etc. and share our various insights. It is open to anyone, and we’ll be starting a new session in January. The group is called LifeInsights, all are welcome.
An Example of Someone Who Is Making the World a Better Place
Over this past year, I had the privilege to meet and photograph Darius Pettway at my studio. I just finished reading his book “A Chance To…” today. From the moment I started reading, I could not put it down.
Darius was so open and honest about his tough life journey growing up on the streets of Detroit, and his persistence to overcome adversity and pursue choices that ultimately have led him to help young adults by providing them with tools of leadership, self-empowerment and conflict resolution to unlock their hidden potential.
To be honest, by the time I reached the end of his book, I was deeply moved and had to wipe away a tear. I am so extremely proud of Darius in all that he is doing. I respect him so much.
As he says in his message at the end of the book, “It is not where you start as much as it is about how you finish.” Darius had a tough start, yet he has overcome so much, to shape him in to the leader he is today.
I encourage you to support Darius in his Youth Leadership Conferences, and buy his book and read it. His website is wallsoflife.com.
Each of us have opportunities to make choices that will make this world better for us all.
Go out and make this world better.
Kevin Gourley
