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At the essence of every human being is the desire to make a difference in the world. None of us are exempt from this desire. We may not always believe the fulfillment of this desire is possible or that we are capable of making much of a difference. Life has a way of beating us down and fooling us into believing we lack the resources, skills, and influence to make a difference. Know this. Everything you do makes a difference and you possess enormous power to alter any situation.
It’s so easy to look at the great shakers and movers in the world and say, “What I do seems insignificant compared to their achievements. Why even try!” Those great leader’s gifts and missions seem so enormous they often distract us from recognizing the potential our daily interactions have to shift the course of another person’s day and sometimes even their life.
Most of us can easily identify those negative episodes in our lives that victimized us because of something someone said or did. These examples are living proof of the power humans possess to significantly impact another’s life. But how often do we focus our attention on those positive actions, words, and deeds performed by someone which moved us towards our dreams and aspirations? When we do our attitude towards life automatically shifts from victim to victor.
I often ask my clients to identify all the people in their life they have some form of relationship with – children, friends, siblings, co-workers, etc. In almost every case the client is shocked by the size of their sphere of influence. That awareness, in and of itself, generates a new level of conscious accountability. The truth is that every person you come into contact with, you potentially are a role model to and can therefore significantly influence their life. Every life situation is a golden opportunity to make a difference, either positively or negatively. A day does not pass that you do not have at least one opportunity to make a difference in the world. Just think… you have at minimum 365 chances a year to positively impact the world!
I believe we have a greater opportunity to make a difference in the world than someone like an Ekhart Tolle. Do you think I’m crazy! While Ekhart did reach millions of people through his Oprah online course, he couldn’t demonstrate his philosophy in a real life situation via that delivery system. He created a ripple for sure. But you and I are the ones who are out there on the front lines of all transformative waves. The lifestyle of those great teachers can actually limit their opportunities to interact face to face with as many people as we do. Since it’s in the face to face interactions that we make the greatest difference, our capacity to be compassionate, loving, patient, understanding, etc., I believe is directly impacting more people’s lives than what our greatest teachers are capable of. Their role is truly powerful and necessary. But how you conduct your life and show up in the world is where humanity is truly evolving. When we live up to our highest potential we create a space of liberation for others to do the same.
Every time you tell someone how much you appreciate them you are changing the world. Every time you reach out to help someone you are making a difference. Every time you truly listen to someone’s problems with an open heart and mind you are making the world a better place. In that moment you are as powerful and influential as Gandhi, Mother Theresa, or Martin Luther King. That one compassionate word or touch of tenderness may be the exact thing that transforms another’s dark moment. Don’t believe me? Take a moment and think back to a time in your life when a friend or stranger said something that gave you a breakthrough insight to overcome a life obstacle. I’ll bet that the person who uttered those words wasn’t someone like a Neale Donald Walsch!
My inspiration to you this day is to truly claim the power you have to make a difference. It doesn’t matter what your credentials are or what you’ve done in your life. In this moment you already possess what it takes to bring light to the situation you are faced with. Don’t sit back and wait for others. Be the leader that says, “My life matters and I make a difference.” There is no greater mission in life!
Contributed by: Susan Davison
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