In the fall of 2018, a little ramen shop popped up across from my work. I checked it out and loved the delicious, authentic ramen and the kind owner.

I wanted to do what I could to help this wonderful ramen shop in the suburbs succeed. I told everyone about it, met up with friends their, made a point to eat there regularly, and figured out how to add the store’s location on Google Maps so it would pop up when people searched for local ramen shops.

Six years later, I still go there from time to time, and the owner still remembers my order, and I still do my best to say “hi” and “thank you” in Chinese.

Then out of the blue last week, Google sent me an email:

That’s pretty dang cool, and I’m so happy the store is continuing to do well.

I think it’s important to back what you believe in. Whether it’s a place, a person, yourself, or your beliefs, there’s value in tangibly supporting that thing, especially if it’s supported you in some way.

There’s something powerful and meaningful about taking action to externalize value, even if it’s simply communicating that value or belief to someone instead of keeping it to yourself.