Community Service and Education open doors to freedom. Both provide the opportunity to expose you to what is going on around you and in the world and a chance to showcase your skill set. Taking the time to engage in public service, puts you in a position to meet people who may become mentors, provide contacts for networking, and introduce you to new ideas and cultures. It is very important to have a strong educational background because when opportunity presents itself you can rise to the occasion. There is a cliche that says we are a product of our environment. I believe this to be true regardless of the environment. The mindset of an individual is what allows them to change or improve upon what they like and do not like. The first introduction to education for anyone comes from the primary person in their life. This introduction can determine what kind of foundation you will have. There are many ways to educate a person. I believe the first lessons should involve love. This love should be for God, family, yourself, and others. If you are taught love, it will be easier to understand how love and knowledge go hand in hand. Understanding that knowledge can change your circumstances from good to better should make you eager to learn from every experience that is presented before you. Not all experiences will be good, but there is a lesson to learn. Your eyes begin to open to your surroundings and you start thinking about how can you help. Again, this is something that goes back to love. This is the birth of your community service spirit. This will be the chance to share some of your knowledge and skills with your community. You will be recognized as a leader because of the examples you are setting. The mindset of the community will start to change once they see what can be done when you invest your time, talent, and substance back into the community. Other communities will start to take notice of the changes made in your community, and they will become curious to know who, what, and how. This will be the time when your involved community will be able to educate others about their surroundings. This education will teach them how to showcase their skill sets, experiences, and their individual cultures to improve their surroundings. Before you know it, this will be come a contagious cycle of community service and education.