We do the right thing 

not because we expect to change the world, 

but because it’s the right thing to do. 

Let’s face it; few of us have the position or power to sway others. But that’s all right because the absence of power cannot only help free us from egoistic expectations; it can also save us from karmic retributions incurred from improperly wielding it. How much less fraught with adverse retributions, and easier it will be, to decide we’ll do something just because it’s the right thing to do. No one need even know. We can focus on implementing our plans without wasting energy worrying about others’ reactions. Our happiness, our feeling of accomplishment, will come entirely from doing the right thing. If others notice what we did and change for the better, excellent. If no one notices, excellent. We will have successfully reinforced our natural desire to do what is proper—not because we harbor unrealistic hopes—but for the pure joy of doing the right thing.