Difference Maker

Well hello again! Sorry it has been so long. I can go into how busy I have been and how much I have had going on, but let's be real....they are just excuses. Bluntly, I have been lazy about doing the blog.

Usually, I am really inspired by one thing, or one lyric, or one person to write an entire blog about, and until this morning, I haven't felt compelled enough to actually have to think about what to write as my thought process has been unprovoked. See, lazy! However, thanks to a NeedtoBreathe song, I now have a mind full of insight!

While there are more species of living things that exist in our world than I can count, the one thing every one of them have in common is the ability to make a difference. We, as humans, almost have a responsibility to  make a difference because we have the inherent cognitive process that really voids us from any excuse to NOT be difference makers.

Think about the food chain...all living things depend on others to keep living....that is an obvious example of making a difference. However, we tend to only look at the obvious, and overlook the other ways that these things become difference makers. For instance, plants and trees in their natural state provide shade and even shelter to animals and insects and humans. Bees and other insects are mostly responsible for our yards blooming in the spring, making a difference in our landscape and overall joy about the beautiful season. Pets provide companionship, love, nurturing and therapy, and our love for them is reciprocated in more ways than we will ever understand. Fruits, vegetables, and other plants/flowers gives us nourishment for our bodies, dye pigments to color our world, fragrant expulsions that boost our serotonin levels, enrichment for our soil, nutrients for our skin and treatment for our ailments. Everything plays a part in something that keeps everything living....even if it is to sacrifice for the greater good.

So how can you be a difference maker? Will you help your neighbor with their yard? Will you save a life? Will you give someone random a complement? Are you going to make a commitment to make a difference every day no matter how big or small? Are you going to smile more, appreciate more, or enjoy each day more? Will you laugh more and worry less? Will you appreciate more and be annoyed less? Will you help others see how they are blessed? Will you help others on their spiritual, religious, faith-based journey?
More individualized ideas:
* Charge your service fee (lessons, handy work, landscaping...etc) based on income, because let's face it, you've been in a position before where you could have used a break yourself.
* If you can sing, set up on a popular street and just sing for people. Music heals so many souls.
* If you're an addict/recovering addict/friend or family member of an addict, become peer support for those who are in positions you understand.
* If you have the time, offer single parents a hand with running errands, cleaning house, cooking or simply watching their children while they get things done.
* If you are a server, donate a portion of your tips one night a month to a local charity
* If you are a high school senior, instead of doing a prank, write advice articles to leave behind for the freshman coming in next year.
* If you are an athlete, encourage younger players the importance of playing with their heart...it could make a difference in their athletic career.
* If you are a store owner, make a popular item a charity item, giving the charity the proceeds from sales. You can also donate items to charity auctions.
* Adopt a healthy habit for 2 weeks and inspire others to do the same
* Go to city council meetings and give input
* Give praise and positive attention to your children daily, and model behavior you seek from them
* If you choose to be on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram all day, then look for those who are going through a hard time, having a bad day or need a little pick me up and surprise them with a small note, flowers, candy, balloons or something you know they would like. Look for those doing great things and show them appreciation to keep them motivated and feeling like they are making a difference too.
I could go on and on...

As for me, I am dedicated to doing things that make happiness and joy contagious.  Helping people see the value of one smile, even in a day of several frowns. Helping create situations where there's no option of an outcome other than joy. I should work on smiling more. Something small, and sort of silly, I would like to do is fill my friend's social media news feed with positive and uplifting pictures and articles and quotes so they get a break from all the negative. Keeping in mind that others matter, no matter where they are in life, there is always room for making a difference. Once you begin transforming into a difference maker, you are already ahead in making a difference in your own life.

So, go make a plan difference makers! Based on your interpretation of what "living" means to you, what part will you play in keeping people "alive"?

Peace and Joy,
Beth