It’s not always apparent how you are changed from being in the company of another person. Certain actions elicit reactions, but each person does play a large role in our lives, especially if we spend enough time with them.

Happy people will influence others to be happy as will grumpy people cause similar reactions.

And I must admit I have been extremely happy lately. There have been plenty of outside forces that could cause me to be grumpy or downhearted, but I haven’t been.

It is because I am surrounded by the most kind-hearted, patient and sincere people.

I have always said how my job is a good one — I get to work with the best people in our community. They are people who so selflessly give of themselves to help others and who truly care about creating a stronger, more loving community.

My co-worker, Corinne, and I will be sad to see some of these wonderful people leave the United Way board in a few months’ time. But we are lucky to live in the same town with them and shop at the same grocery stores.

With all of these interactions, I am just beginning to realize how being around certain people has changed me.

Our campaign chairman Steve Merfeld, since I met him, has been the most honest, kind, hard-working person. He’s always ready to help others out. I have said this many times, but I didn’t realize until recently how much he has impacted my actions and how much more I want to do for others now.

My husband’s grandma, Mary Austin, has always been a giver. She makes dinner for us at least once every couple of weeks. She bakes delicious pies and is sure to deliver a piece to her friends and family in town. She always remembers your birthday and whenever you see her she says something nice.

She is a wonderful woman who has such good values because what she values most are her family and friends.

The other day, I baked a pie. I’ve never been into baking pies. This pie was sitting in my freezer for a year (really—and don’t laugh Noel).

But afterward I brought some over to Mary and my mother and father-in-law, Lori and Noel. It was something I’ve witnessed both Mary and Lori do for us for years. And it felt wonderful to take part in this tradition of sharing.

We all learn from each other. We all grow from each other. One kind deed truly does lead to another, though it may take years for someone to grow comfortable enough to act out of the goodness of their heart. And I believe there is goodness in every heart.

At the last Purpose Workshop for the Vitality Project, I popped in the room long enough to see this quote flash on the screen and it really hit me, so I thought I’d share it with you:

“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one, the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

“I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I can live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

“I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”

— George Bernard Shaw

Ann Austin is the executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County.