When a vast majority of people think about the idea of "giving" for the holiday season, they think of purchasing gifts for a family in need or donating gloves and hats to a homeless shelter or baking a delicious home-cooked meal for a neighbor in need.

Of course, these are very valid and essential examples of giving, and the recipients of these gifts are always grateful. However, this holiday season, I have a challenge for you: give more than a material object. Give your time. Give your enthusiasm. Give your passion.

Pretty much everyone can think of a cause that makes their soul stir. Whether you fervently believe that cosmetics shouldn't be tested on animals or that current government officials are making poor choices or even that your college doesn't give enough funding to a particular club or program, use your voice.

Write a letter to your mayor demanding more from your governmental system. Start a petition on change.org to get the point across to an organization. Stop believing that your voice is so tiny this holiday season because if every person gives the world a little piece of their passion, the world can be an entirely different place in 2018.

We are in desperate need of more people that are passionate about life and the world around us; if you are lucky enough to have the gift of passion, then use it. I ardently believe that one of the most important reasons that people are given the gift of passion is so that they can use it to make a more positive tomorrow. Use your gift wisely, and give it back to the world by showing your passion. This way, we can have a more peaceful, productive 2018. It's on us.