This world of ours is becoming more self-centered than ever. However, it's important for one to be aware of his or her surroundings as we are all social beings and can not live without each other.

One's community is not just limited to where they come from or their area of residence; it can also be the places they visit and are a part of, for example, school, organization, workplace, etc. Community helps one in developing as a person as he or she goes through a plethora of experiences filled with both happiness and hardship.

Just as our community helps us in becoming a better person, we should also aspire to give back to the community. Giving back can have an immense amount of effect in other's life as improvements in the community is parallel to the physical and mental improvement of the people who are part of the community.

Be an active advocate for positive change in your community. If there is an issue which needs to be addressed, take action accordingly. Participate in community-wide fundraisers in order to help the people in need, and most importantly, talk to the fellow members of your community, visit them. That's the easiest way to be an active member of the community, but ironically, we tend to designate people as complete strangers even though they are a part of the same community.

One way in which I gave back to my community is through hosting a school-wide fundraiser partnering with the North Texas Food Bank. With the collective effort by everyone at Coppell, TX, my in-school organization Coppell Be The Change raised $14,000 and about 1,200 canned food for the people in need.

Your community needs you, so go out there and make a difference!