Doing something good doesn't require Herculean effort, enormous personal or familial sacrifices, or physical pain. While it is important to bring attention to people who do give up a lot to make the world a better place for others, sometimes our focus on those individuals can be intimidating to others who want to get involved, but think that it requires them to be another Mother Teresa. In fact, if we take a quick look at the people in our lives, most of us will find that we are surrounded by every day do-gooders who find smalls way to make a difference. These people are just as inspiring as the ones who we read about in the newspaper.

For example, many of my friends are helping others as a hobby. They each take part in activities that meet their personal interests, an important consideration for long-term involvement in any cause. At the same time, the diverse work that they do is a wonderful way to highlight all the things that the "average" person can make a dent in society's problems.

Sara N. is a lawyer by day, savior of abandoned shiba inu dogs at night. She is the vice president and adoption director of the NYC Shiba Rescue. What do the folks at the Rescue do?

NYC Shiba Rescue (NYCSR) is an all volunteer group dedicated to contributing to the quality of life of Shiba Inus in and around the New York City metropolitan area. To that end, NYCSR actively works to rescue Shiba Inus and Shiba Inu mixed breed dogs from dangerous environments and shelters in order to find them loving, permanent homes. We will, among other things, foster and evaluate Shiba Inus in order to prepare them for adoption and seek out proper adoptive homes for the dogs. NYCSR also promotes responsible dog ownership by educating the public in the selection, care and training of dogs.

Clearly, the NYC Shiba Rescue has a very targeted population. Many judgmental people might wonder what Sara's group accomplishes if they only work with a specific breed of dog when so many other canines are in need of homes. Others might turn their noses up at a cause that is dedicated solely to animals when so many humans are suffering. These people are missing the point. The world is full of needs, and as individuals, it is up to us to decide how we want to share our time, effort, and money. Do-gooding work should be fulfilling, not draining, and in helping abandoned shiba inus, Sara enjoys her work. She is also filling one of many millions of niches of need, and that is inspiring to me.

My other Sara friend, Sara M., is not dedicated to one cause. She is a serial volunteer. Whether she is part of a faith-based community build day in the Bronx sponsored by New York City Habitat for Humanity or participating in community supported agriculture initiatives by pre-buying farm products from local farmers, she is always sending her friends invitations to join her. Some might note that Sara targets her work through her Jewish faith and sneer. Yet Sara's commitment to the principles of mitzvot (good deeds) and tzedakah (charity) are laudable, regardless of what religious beliefs underlie them. She is not trying to convert anyone; she just wants to help in whatever way she can. I greatly admire that.

Even committed capitalists can find ways to put their skills and interests to good use. My husband works in finance, and he's only half-kidding when he tells people that he provides the ultimate public service work by making markets more liquid. He grew up in an upper middle class community, and although he personally had no connections to the banking industry to exploit for his career, he realized that he possessed many advantages over kids who grew up worrying about where they were going to sleep that night or if they'd get jumped at school. Thus Justin takes time to visit classrooms in low income communities in New York City to talk about what he does and how they might one day get jobs like his. His commitment to helping kids get a foot in the door began with a now defunct program through the Children's Aid Society (which continues to offer many other great ways to get involved), and continued his work with the business school's alumni association. I'm so proud of Justin for doing his part.

The point is that Sara N, Sara M, and Justin are no different from anyone else we know. They are all busy working, spending time with family and friends, and taking care of their own health and wellbeing. When we consider that they make an effort to fit small acts of good deeds into their daily lives, it reminds us that we know a lot of heroes who live among us. The world needs both the big and the small movers and shakers if we are solve problems.

Suzanne also blogs about life at Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS) & Other Rants and about feminism & gender at BlogHer,