What kind of difference are you Making?

Do you wake up every morning and say “I’m going to change the world today!”? Most of us would feel a bit grandiose saying that, yet many of us really DO want to change the world, we DO want to make a difference. And we often feel discouraged and disheartened at our inability to do that.

But the truth is you DO make a difference. The question is “What kind of a difference do you make?”

Positive or Negative?

Every day you have many opportunities to make a difference.

When someone in your family interrupts your work do you let them know (silently or not so silently) that they’re bothering you? Or do you set aside what you’re doing and listen attentively?

When you’ve waited in line a long time to order your morning latte (or flat white!) are you a tad crabby when it’s finally your turn? Or do you say something empathetic to the busy barista?

How you choose to respond to and interact with others will determine whether the difference you are making is positive or negative — but you are making a difference.

Other people are affected by your thoughts, words, and actions. You can be a shining beam of light that brightens someone’s day or a dark cloud adding more dreary negativity. Your smile, kind word, or warm gesture could make all the difference to your family, friends, coworkers, or even to a stranger.

You may be thinking that it’s no big deal; smiling at someone or saying something nice doesn’t make much of a difference.

However, as Mother Teresa said, “It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.” Over the years, I’ve heard many stories about a few words or a simple act changing someone’s life. We never know what the magnitude of our impact on someone will be or how it might ripple out into the world.

Playing With This

I’ve been playing with this idea lately. Asking myself

“What KIND of difference am I making here?”

seems to give me the awareness and space to more often choose to speak or act in a way that’s likely to make a positive difference. This question provides a tiny nudge that leads me to smile, say something pleasant, or do some small thing for someone.

Some “little” things I’ve done in the last few weeks include:

* Giving my waitress a true, shining, bright smile rather than a polite one

* Holding back my words when I felt critical of my partner

* Listening to a friend grieving her divorce

* Visiting an elderly friend who enjoys company and loves to tell stories

In each case my intention was to

“make a positive difference with ease and fun.”

Since we can never know for sure the impact of our seemingly little actions, I use this intention as my guide.

Only If It Lights You Up

Each of us DOES make a difference in the world every day. We can choose to make a POSITIVE difference as many (or as few) times a day as we like. It’s up to you.

You will have more positive impact on others and feed yourself as well, when you make a positive difference by doing what lights you up (what energises and enlivens you, what you love, what you’re passionate about).

Make the difference you can make with ease and joy!

(Note: if you have been giving, giving, giving and have nothing left to give, please, please, please fill your own tank first! Self-care needs to be your priority. When you are filled up, you

may be ready to revisit this idea.)

When your intention is to make a positive difference and you take action in support of that intention, allow yourself to feel the pleasure of what you have done, no matter the results.

** At the end of the day reflect on what you have done to make a positive difference. No matter how large or small it may seem, give yourself credit for what you have done.