A brother to author Henry James, William James was a philosopher and psychologist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He explored many different ideas in his writings and teachings but often returned to the concept of free will. He spurned thinking in absolutes, suggesting instead that a person’s decisions have the power to change not just their own life, but also the course of history. These words, from a 1908 letter to none other than Helen Keller, encourage us to remain mindful of the decisions we make as well as their potential impacts. Although it’s easy to feel as though our everyday actions have little influence in the grand scheme of things, even our smallest choices can affect us and the world around us in big ways.