Want to Make a Difference?
Peace, encouragement, happiness, opportunities March 27th, 2009
photo by: listentoreason
“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” ~Anthony J. D’Angelo
This weeks post is not going to be a long one, but it has HUGE potential…
We’ve all been around those people…. The room brightens up when they leave. Everything is negative. Nothing is good.
We’ve all also been around those people who brighten a room every time they enter one. When they leave you just feel good about yourself. You feel good about life.
What if…. just what if…. we could brighten every place we go. What if we could make a difference everywhere we go, every place we visit, with every person with whom we have contact….
What if we see trash lying around and we pick up just one piece? What if we see someone that is looking a little down and we just go listen to them and offer them a smile of hope? What if we offer everyone we meet a smile - a smile that says, “You’re important.”
I am making it a goal of mine to leave every place and every person better than I found them. I am going to challenge myself this week (til next Friday) to do just that. If I can do it for just one week, then certainly I can do it for another week and then for a lifetime.
So I challenge myself. I challenge you. Will you step up? Will you help me make the world a better place for just this one week? What about just for today? If you can do it today, can you do it tomorrow too?
I wonder just how much joy, happiness and peace we can give this week. and how much we will get as a result?
I would love to hear your results.
I am taking up this challenge with you
Your post has already made me happy, so part of your goal accomplished I would say!
Please do write a post at the end of the week about HOW you spread joy, I am sure it will be inspiring.
Kashmiras last blog post..Smile
Hi Jennifer. What’s great about this is that when you touch someone else with this intent, it has a ripple effect. Just one ounce of energy can move a mountain. I’ve been practicing. Some days it’s harder than other, but it’s all about building muscle. Have a fantastic week. You’re gonna move a lot of mountains.
Davinas last blog post..A Vision of Fulfillment
Hi Jennifer. I find it very interesting that you would write on this topic as a few days ago I dedcided to make it my intention to be more joyful and to spread more joy particularly at work.
So I will definitely take you up on your challenge and I look forward to reading about your experiences. I will also comment again if I have anything great to share. Have a wonderful weekend.
Carol Kings last blog post..Use the Law of Attraction to Improve Your Health!
Hi Jeniffer, A very interesting invitation. I will certainly accept it. In fact, I will try to do it my whole life, just like you.
Smile is a small gesture but can bring a huge impact.
Thanks Jennifer.
Arswinos last blog post..Success is The Path You Choosed
Hi Jennifer,
This is a wonderful challenge, and one I willingly accept. Will I succeed? If I put my heart into it, yes, I CAN do something every day to make the world just a little better. And what’s so great about this is that it’s not just you doing it. Everyone who reads this could potentially do that same thing, and the people they affect could pass it on, etc, etc. This can be big - the more people who do this, the more impact there will be, and the more other people, not even readers here, will make a difference! Isn’t that amazing!! I think it is so amazing what your one action, shared here with others - can become!
Lances last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day
Hi Kashmira. I’m so happy that you are joining the challenge and that this post made you happy. I’m feeling good already.
That is a fantastic idea to write a post at the end of the week about how I spread joy. You’re challenging me even further and that is good. Stay tuned…. So far it is going well. This is a lot of fun.
Hi Davina. So true about the ripple effect. It really can make huge impacts and move big mountains. Building muscle.. I like that analogy - and so true. Davina, I know that you’ve already moved lots of mountains and will move more. I really appreciate you.
Hi Carol. Look, this has already inspired someone else! It’s great to have you on board! You have always impressed me as a joy giver - someone that I would love to be around. It’s hard for me to imagine you spreading it more.
I very much look forward to hearing your experiences as well. I hope your weekend keeps getting better and that you have a fantastic week!
Hi Arswino. Fantastic to have you on board too!! I too see you as someone who spreads a lot of joy. You do it in your writing and the stories you share, as well as with the comments you leave here and all around the blogosphere. I have always appreciated that about you! Somehow I always want to smile when I see your gravatar and comments. I can’t wait to hear about the impact this challenge makes in your life and the lives of those you touch.
Hi Lance, the Difference Maker. Lance, you are constantly making a difference. I can’t wait to see how you step it up a notch. I know that so many great things will happen. I too am loving how it’s not just me, but several have joined in already. This is going to be a lot of fun with so many on board, reaching out and making a difference. I’m sure I will never know of all the impact this will make. Isn’t that great! You’ve already made a difference. You’ve helped me to dream big with this and have encouraged me. Thank you.
I love this idea. Count me in on the challenge. Putting a smile on someone’s face, puts one on mine, which in turn, puts one on another person.
It just takes one person to start the ball rolling…………….:)
LisaNewtons last blog post..A Vacation Day at Coldwater Canyon Park
Hi Lisa. Welcome to the challenge! I’m so glad that you joined. I’m really enjoying this so far. I know you will enjoy seeing those smiles and feeling them on your face as well. It only takes one…. and you get to be one……
i accept your challenge.
last night, i stopped to pick up take out for dinner. a lady was ahead of me with her little boy. her bill came to $ 18.60 and she only had $ 18.00. it was not much, but she did not have it. i quietly slipped the money over.
it wasn’t much, but it was nice to help someone. at least she did not have to feel bad or put something back in front of her son. she gave me a lovely smile.
i think i had to choices. i could have been uptight as to how slow things were. i could have tapped my foot as she looked for the change and muttered under my breath. i could have. i am glad i did not. i made her night a bit easier than it could have been and it made me feel a good to help someone.
be leaving a room better than when we entered, we also leave better.
storm
storms last blog post..glad you are back
I’ve been doing this for years so for the challenge I’m going to step up my game. I commit to not passing up a single opportunity. I have a feeling I’m going to be busy!
Tess The Bold Lifes last blog post..10 Rules for a Bold & Daring Life
Hi Storm. What a beautiful illustration of leaving someone better than you found them! Such a simple thing to do, yet it saved this woman a lot of embarrassment and look how good you felt for doing it! Excellent job! You’re going to do very well with this challenge. I sense that you are someone who already brightens a lot of rooms already. Welcome to the challenge!
Hi Tess. Welcome to the challenge - or the challenge stepped up a notch. I can tell that you are a person who chooses to uplift others. It shines right through! I can’t wait to hear how you step it up. I believe you ARE going to be very busy. Thank you for the example you set Tess.
[...] Well, it has now been a week since I sent out the challenge - since I challenged myself and challenged you - to leave every place, every person better than we found them. [...]
Jennifer,
Good stuff. I have similar mantra - “Give the best experience to the the other party”. Once I adopted this mantra I started to get instant results:
- Returning orders from customers
- Less tension with management
- More love from family
It works
Alik Levin | PracticeThis.coms last blog post..Want To Win? - Argue, Do Not Fight!
Alik, welcome! Thanks so much for sharing this. I love that “Give the best experience to the the other party.” And just look at your results! I bet you are so fulfilled!
That is a great idea. I think I will do the Dale Carnegie method on this. Find something good about even the worst people. Then complement them.
Garys last blog post..Can One Be Positive?
Gary,
Yes, you gotta love Dale Carnegie’s advice! You can’t go wrong listening to him. I love that suggestion. It’s something I try to do, but know that I fail at at times. It’s definitely challenging, but well worth it. Those are usually the people that need it the most.