Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in. --Marjorie Moore

While I am always willing to lend a helping hand, I’m quite self-critical about not donating enough of my time to a particular cause. There are so many important charities, some that have even touched members of my own family. But, I wonder how I can add one more thing to my list of commitments. How can I decide where to devote my time? I often pray diligently and ask, “How can I best direct my resources to contribute to our community, our world.”

And here is what I’ve come up with, so far: Charity begins at home. Daily, I’m devoted to building my marriage, raising four beautiful children, contributing to the lives of my family and friends. Daily, I support and mentor other women to achieve greater wellness in their lives and businesses. All of this love and service, I am reminded, feeds my soul immensely and is the most important contribution to the world I will ever make.

Being open to finding more ways to serve, I discovered an amazing opportunity to use my voice in a big way to help others all over the world, right from my little recording studio in Marietta, Georgia. A few years ago, I began writing and recording my own library of inspirational Ringtones for mobile technologies, of course to sell for a profit, but also to reach and inspire as many people as possible using my gifts. From my research, I found and signed up to receive Daily Dose e-mail messages--written quotes sent to my in-box every day that inspire and change lives. The messages came from CharityFocus.org, an organization who defines themselves as “an experiment in the joy of giving. “ Their services enable hundreds of inspired people to volunteer and contribute in meaningful ways to the world around them. Their hope is to "be the change we wish to see in the world."

I just knew that I was supposed to give my voice to this organization; to record an audio version of their messages for people to hear. This was my opportunity to reach thousands of people using my passion—inspiring others with my voice. So, I joined the Service Team at CharityFocus.org and began recording the Thought-of-the-Week, beautiful passages that help people connect with their higher purpose. I’m thrilled to say that since adding the audio feature, their subscriptions have grown from 10,000 to over 20,000 people per week!

In a recent “thank you” note CharityFocus wrote to me and my audio engineer, “it is powerful to reflect on the untold ripples of goodness that you help send out to so many thousands of strangers each week.” Knowing this feeds my soul. Even if it’s just one other person whose life we impact.

My best friend says just smiling is volunteering, because of the difference we make in others lives. I also love these words from author, philosopher and theologian, Howard Thurman, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Check out CharityFocus.org and see what inspires you to “be the change.”