Get Busy

There comes a point in life when the question changes.

When you’re young, it’s, “What can I get?” A job. A house. A family. A career. You spend decades building a life.

But eventually, if you’re lucky, the question becomes, “What can I give back?”

That’s where the real adventure begins.

You don’t have to change the whole world. You just have to show up.

Volunteer at a hospital. Help at a food bank. Coach a little league team. Pick up trash in your neighborhood. Join a nonprofit. Attend a city council meeting. Get involved in something bigger than yourself.

I volunteer at Cone Health. I volunteer with the Lung Cancer Initiative. After surviving lung cancer, it felt natural to help others walking the same road.

I also got involved in politics. Not because I wanted to argue with people—but because I wanted to help solve problems. That journey eventually led me to create the Truth Party.

None of that would have happened if I’d stayed home complaining.

The truth is, democracy isn’t a spectator sport. Communities don’t become stronger because someone else volunteers. They become stronger because ordinary people decide they’re going to pitch in.

I’ve discovered something surprising. The more you give, the more you get back. Not money. Not fame. Purpose.

You meet incredible people. You hear stories that change your perspective. You realize that every person has something valuable to contribute.

If you’re retired, don’t retire from life.

If you’re still working, give a few hours a month.

If you’re young, start now.

Because one day you’ll look back, and I don’t think you’ll remember all the things you bought.

You’ll remember the people you helped.

To really live, you’ve got to be involved.

Show up. Give back. Leave your community better than you found it.

That’s a life well lived.