Some people have made tremendous sacrifices for others—putting their lives on the line for individuals or causes that benefit thousands. They acted without hesitation, never looking away or complaining about the injustice they faced. They knew what was right and moved forward with conviction.

Think of Martin Luther King Jr. and others who stood up to systemic injustice in 1950s and 60s America. Or Gandhi, who led India’s peaceful resistance against British rule. Or Thích Quảng Đức, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk who set himself on fire in 1963 to protest religious discrimination. These acts took extraordinary moral courage.

How can someone do that? How can one person face an army? It’s inspiring to read about people like this. What’s even more awe-inspiring is that they were ordinary human beings. They made a choice to believe in a cause greater than themselves. They were selfless.

They embody the true meaning of selflessness—the quality of caring more about what others need and want than what you need or want yourself.

We tell their stories as reminders: to stand up for what’s right, to believe that change is possible, and to remember that if they could do it, so can we.

We don’t need to gather crowds or march down city streets to make a difference. Small acts of kindness and everyday heroism matter too.

If you witness bullying, racism, or discrimination—speak up. Don’t stay silent. If someone is rude to a waiter, or litters in public, speak up. These small actions ripple outward. It may not feel like much in the moment, but it matters deeply to the person you’re standing up for.

Helping others without expecting anything in return—that may be the greatest thing we can do on this earth. That is true selflessness.

Take care.