The Bridge to Kindness

How many times have you woken up on Christmas morning, opened some gifts from loved ones, talked about how much you loved the gifts and then just left them there in their boxes to collect dust? Hopefully not often. Gifts are given with love and are meant to be enjoyed.
Now, I wonder…how often have you received other types of gifts, only to put them aside. I'm not talking about physical gifts, I'm talking about your abilities, here are just a few, insight, encourager, faith, giving, hospitality, knowledge, leadership, mercy, serving, teaching or wisdom. Each of us have been given at least one of these special gifts. You may be a good leader or a good host. You may have a knack for teaching or be a natural cheerleader to those around you.
Whatever the case, we each have been given unique gifts to use for the purpose of serving one another. My challenge to you today involves boldness and risk taking. Think about the concept of humility. “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others. When we are taught to have humility in the way we work, it does not mean we should put ourselves down, it means we must shift the focus from our own lives, to the world around us. It comes down to the motive, the why.
Why are you doing the things you do? To make an impact, you can still strive to beat your personal best, hustle hard and have big dreams, but it’s about doing that with a view towards lifting up others.
The challenge I’m going to present to you today involves, and stay with me on this, making an impact.
If all you are thinking about is yourself and how your plans and actions may affect your personal success, you may achieve it, but it will end with you. If, on the other hand, you live to make an impact and you consider others more important than yourself, you will see the fruits of your work come back to you over and over again and be greatly fulfilled. That’s what I want you to tap into, lifting up those around, others oriented living.
My mission is to help men and women discover their passion to help people in need, so that they can gain the courage to act on that passion and make a difference in their community. I'm going to share with you how you can discover your gifts and use them, to make an impact with that passion.
It's one thing to identify your gifts, it's another to identify where you can use them effectively. Using those gifts on a regular basis, to make an impact. If you don't take action, if you just let them sit there, they are as good as the gift under the tree, that never gets used and just gathers dust.
I want you to think about your life experiences, the road you have traveled, the relationships you've made, the career path you've chosen, the circumstances you have overcome. They are ALL for a reason, they are to bless others with encouragement, knowledge, motivation.
Take the time to think through why you are where you are, and how you can use it to make an impact.
By using your gifts to bless others, It will come back to you, time and time again. I'm certain of it. There is no greater feeling, to know that you have made an impact. Let’s do it together.

Ron Smith is an appealing presenter, who uses relatable stories - drawn from more than 25 years of real-world experience - to engage audiences.

He has spoken on prestigious stages nationwide, delivering his empowering message: "The Bridge to Kindness." Ron shares valuable insights on how collaboration within a community can make a huge impact. He provides these messages both on stage and through his podcast and radio show.

His keynote presentations are interactive and impactful, engaging members of even the largest audiences. He helps listeners to think about the road they have traveled, their career experiences, and other life circumstances, and see how - taken together - they can provide the knowledge and motivation to be a blessing and help people in need. Ron is real, inspirational, and relatable -framing his insights in ways that resonate with each audience.

​​Pulling from his years of service, he'll introduce the audience to a proven 5 - Step methodology, so that individuals and organizations can together build a more caring community and help those in need.

"Every one of us has a set of gifts and talents that can be used to help others in need.", says Smith. "However, most people don't have the knowledge and vision for where and how they can connect their unique perspective and gifts to opportunities to change the lives of others. What many don't realize is those opportunities may already exist right in their own sphere of influence."

Beyond his professional life, Ron is a Certified Tourism Ambassador (10+ years) and provides Segway Tours of his hometown (Columbus, Ohi0, serves as the public address announcer for 7 different sports at the high school, collegiate and professional sports levels, is an active member of Gideons International, serves regularly in his church, and even finds time for a few rounds of golf.

Fun facts about Ron’s life/experience/career...

"Global Impact" Award recipient from The Baldwin Group 2024
Named “Business Person of the Year” in his community
Named “Small Business of the Year” in his community, for two different businesses including Neighborhood Bridges
Inducted into his High School Hall of Fame for his community service (Westerville South High School)
Award winning Speaker - Readers Digest/Toastmasters International
Award winning audio/video production producer
Community Leader involved with local Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau, school district, city government, and ministerial association
Accomplished business owner of two businesses for nearly 36 years
Sales professional responsible for $3.75 million+ in direct sales at an Inc. 5000 services company