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A picture of a man

Everyday Activism

With Featured Guest

Sean Spence

Create • Contribute • Happier

Blog divider

A picture of a man

Everyday Activism

With Featured Guest

Sean Spence

Create • Contribute • Happier

Blog divider

Top Takeaways From This Episode

  • You can be friends with someone without agreeing with them on everything.
  • Helping others is sometimes the best way to help yourself.
  • Failure can help as much as success, especially if the cause is worthwhile.

Giving To the World

Sean began as an activist in college. He was involved in student government, student organizations, and worked with many underserved groups on campus as a cis, straight white man. In 1989 he even helped organize an HIV testing day, which given the politics of the time, is pretty badass.

Everyday Activism

Recognizing that he can’t save the world, Sean still tries to make the world a better place. He knows that helping someone else not only makes the world better but helps the individual feel happier. He has even has started a hashtag #happierbychoice, where he shares ideas to help people feel better by helping others. 

Overcoming

Everyone has something they have to overcome. Sean has multiple sclerosis (MS) and requires a wheelchair to move more than 20 feet. He knows that everyone has challenges, and he doesn’t like to claim the term disabled, though it’s a word that brings many people comfort, he prefers not to. 

Because Sean has stopped walking due to the pain, walking has become even more difficult. He made the active decision to exercise his legs more, and the reason is beautiful. He wants to be able to walk around the block, holding his wife’s hand (yes, it’s just as cute as it sounds). He refuses to let MS take away that simple joy from his marriage.

A True Inspiration

Sean is a wonderful reminder that each and every one of us has the power to make a big difference. Don't wait for the right time, the right cause or the right reason. Look around you – how can you be part of the solution right now?

Giving is Good

Sean’s charity of choice is the Salvation Army. They are an evangelical Christian non-profit that works towards helping the homeless population and countries that are less served. Their repertoire includes rehabs for addicts, working against human trafficking, and elderly care, though it’s not limited to that. They have even begun to include services for the LGBT+ community.

"One thing everyone can do to feel happier in the moment is to help someone else, even if it's small."

- Sean Spence

Meet your Host, <em style="color:teal">Heather Vickery<em>

Meet your Host, Heather Vickery

Heather Vickery is an award-winning business owner and global leader with over 20 years as an entrepreneur. She leverages her entrepreneurial skills and expertise to coach individuals towards greater personal and professional fulfillment by helping them leverage their fear into intentional bravery. Heather says “When we choose bravely, on purpose, we choose bigger, have bigger successes and it’s contagious” A celebrated public speaker, Heather inspires audiences and empowers attendees with the tools they need to live bold and successful lives through creating balance, time management, mindfulness, as well as countless systems, strategies, and boundaries. She’s the author of Gratitude Journal: Shift Your Focus and Grow Grateful: A Gratitude Journal for Kids and Families. Heather is also the host and executive producer of The Brave Files Podcast.

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