Recently, at a wedding, I ran into one of my teachers from elementary school. We sat and chatted for a long time about many different topics.

One of the topics that captured our conversation for much of the time was about the society in which we live. We both agreed there seems to be a shift away from morals, away from general kindness toward one another, and a growing inability to have civil discourse with one another, especially when people disagree. Of course, this isn’t true of everyone, but it is with enough people that it is noticeable. Near the end of our conversation, the questioned was asked, “How can we impact change in these areas?”

I was a table host for the Longest Table event that was held in Alpena recently. The group at table eight was a great group of people who engaged in discussion about what they like about the area, our education system, legalization of marijuana, everything there is for families with young children, free events versus those that cost money, and other topics. We learned a lot about one another. At the end of the event, a woman from my table and I were continuing the education conversation and she asked the question, “How can we change parenting behaviors and impact the highly politicized education system?”

After a recent staff meeting at the Chamber of Commerce, a few of us were lingering, talking about lack of personal responsibility. The conversation stemmed from a discussion we were having about workforce shortages our businesses are facing. We were all a bit frustrated with what we have seen, and we worry about what it means to the future of our community and nation. Toward the end of the conversation, one of the staff asked the question, “What can we do to inspire personal responsibility?”

Those three conversations come shortly after I posted something on my social media that said, “Don’t let what’s happening in the world crush your ability to remain optimistic.”

I could hear the frustration and what seemed like sadness in the voices of those who posed the questions at the end of each of those conversations. And, although I’m also frustrated and saddened by some of those things, I know I can’t dwell on those feelings.

I need to try and influence change.

I don’t have the answer to the questions, or a perfect solution. The best I could offer each of the people who asked the questions, and what I’ll share with you today, is this: We might not be in a position with our time, energy, resources, or network to influence change at the magnitude we want to see it, but what we can all do is be an influence on those around us.

When we demonstrate through our own actions to those who surround us, observe us, and interact with us the positive changes we want to see, we are giving them an opportunity to also choose to adopt those same values. And, if they do, they will influence others. When we look at the problems facing our society on a national or global level, it is overwhelming to think about changing it.

When we bring it closer to home, we realize we can make a difference by influencing those around us.

We can help a neighbor kid with his resume or give him a job to learn responsibility he may not be learning at home. We can make dinner for a family when we know their time is taken up by something else. We can treat everyone we come across with kindness. We can get to know someone we don’t already know, learn about who they are and what their life is like. We can vote or work for a campaign. We can offer to go for a walk with someone who needs a friend. There are so many ways we can demonstrate the changes we want to see.

We don’t have to let ourselves feel paralyzed by the daunting task of changing the world when we can make a significant impact right here at home.

Before letting yourself get discouraged by things happening in the world — the changing attitudes, the disappearance of kindness and morals, for example — let yourself get caught up in inspiring change right here at home.

If we all did that, we would certainly collectively make a difference on a larger scale.

Jackie Krawczak is president/CEO of the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce. Her column runs biweekly on Thursdays. Follow Jackie on Twitter @jkrawczak.