Priyanka Chopra Jonas Thinks You Can Change the World (Yes, You!)
When Priyanka Chopra Jonas thinks about the people who inspire her most, big-name celebrities aren't the first who come to mind. Instead, Chopra Jonas thinks about the people whose names you more than likely wouldn't recognize, but whose work helps thousands of people across countless communities. "I've met so many heroes who are volunteers, nameless, faceless, they don't get the gratis that I get because I'm famous," Chopra Jonas tells Woman's Day. "Health workers, volunteers, Unicef specifically, everyone at Pilot who wants to give opportunities to people who are doing good — those are the unsung heroes who inspire me."
The actress and philanthropist, who is helping Pilot Pen find the winner of the G2 Overachievers Grant and the G2 Overachievers Student Grant —which recognize individuals who've gone above and beyond to impact other people's lives for the better —took some time to chat with Woman's Day about the importance of everyone finding ways, both big and small, to get involved in their community.
Since the internet has made the world feel smaller, it's easier than ever before to learn about the plights facing communities across the globe. And though that's undoubtably a positive thing, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the issues people are enduring, and, with help, overcoming. But Chopra Jonas says you shouldn't allow that paralyzing feeling to lead you to inaction. "I think it’s really important to understand that you don’t need to empty out your wallet or shell out hours of your time,"Chopra Jonas says. "The most important thing for us to have is intention, and then turning that into action is extremely important." She suggests getting personal with your charity work, and listening to your heart to guide you in knowing where to start getting involved. "Think about what made your heart hurt, what moves you, and there’s so many incredible nonprofits that work towards the benefit of society," she explains.
And you don't have to try to conquer the world's troubles at first, either, she adds. Instead, simply finding ways to help your neighborhood is a great way to get involved in a meaningful and sustainable way. Whether that's spending time volunteering at a local food shelter, or collecting school supplies for underfunded classrooms, there are a number of small things you can do that can yield a significant impact on your community.
"As soon as you start doing one thing that is tangible in your community, you feel the need to start doing more and then your eyes will open to philanthropic opportunities," Chopra Jonas says. "It may feel like I’m doing so much and I can’t make a difference because there’s so many things you see around the world, but little droplets of water make an ocean."
If you're feeling particularly disheartened by the news cycle or what's going on around the world, but can't decide where or how to start, try beginning each day as Chopra Jonas does: by asking yourself a simple question. "I get up in the morning thinking 'how can I be kind today?'" Chopra Jonas says. "It doesn’t have to be big, like smiling at a stranger, which we can’t do in masks, but waving. Having a kind mindset allows you give compassion a home. Compassion is something that you can hone in yourself. For people who don’t know where to start, start with people around you. Kindness is the greatest form of philanthropy ever."
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