“Be the change you want to see in the world.” (Gandhi)How often are you or someone around you negative about society, other people, or the world in general? If only you had the power to change things. If only you had money like Bill Gates, you could make a difference in life. Well, the truth is that you can make a difference in this world…and it doesn’t have to cost a thing.
First of all, you have to understand that change happens daily, not in a day. It might not seem like you can make a difference but you can. Every great fire starts with a single spark. I encourage you to be the spark in your workplace, your family, on your team, in your community or in your school. Mother Teresa once said,
“I alone cannot change the world by myself, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.”
Here are 4 ways that you can make a difference in the world today … and they don’t even have to cost you any money.
(1) Smile
An article in the Huffington Post says that, “by choosing to smile, happy changes start to occur automatically both internally and externally. Great power lies in a random smile, so long as you choose to share it with the world.” Amen! A smile can make such a difference. Try answering the phone with a smile on your face. I bet that the conversation goes well. A smile is infectious. Enthusiasm is contagious. According to Fast Company Magazine, “Putting on a happy face doesn’t just make you more likeable; it makes you healthier.”
(2) Be a positive communicator
This includes Social Media!!!! Be encouraging. There is enough negativity in the world. Be different. Being negative is boring. Anyone can do it as it requires no talent. We all have a circle of influence. Those around us tend to take on our behaviors and attitudes. Think of how refreshing it would be if there was less knee-jerk reaction criticism in this world. If there were more solution-oriented people as opposed to problem-revealing people. I challenge you to only encourage, lift people up and engage in positive communication for one week. You will start to see a difference, not only in your life but the people around you.
(3) Get a library card and learn
Most towns have a public library where you can get a free membership card. You can check out books, read newspapers from all over the nation, flip through the newest magazines ranging from business/finance to home/garden. Most libraries also have weekly educational programs. The smarter you become, the most opportunities that you will have to provide intelligent dialogue during conversations – all positive, of course. I am not talking about pompous learning. Do you plan on voting in the next election? Well, do you really know what the candidates believe and how they might have an impact on the world around them? The library has more answers than an irrational comment section on Facebook or a ill-willed Meme on twitter. Thomas Jefferson was on to something when he said, “Knowledge is Power”.
As a shameless plug, if you really love books and want to own some (by spending money), check out these recommendations from previous posts…
(4) Volunteer
A Harvard study found that the more people volunteered, the more happier they were. If you want to live better and have a higher sense of self-worth, then volunteer. More importantly, though, if you want to make a difference in someone else’s life, then volunteer. There are so many needs in this world, from serious issues like poverty and homelessness to less serious needs of struggling to make a basket or learning to hit a baseball. The old saying goes, “Talent is God’s gift to us and what we do with it is our gift back to him.”. In other words, we all have talents. Can you utilize these to benefit someone else? My dad built a house by himself. I know nothing about building houses, but do you know what house-building talent that I do have? I am healthy and get lift a shovel. I also can carry 2×4’s. Don’t know anything about sports? That’s okay, you can drive the team bus or bring treats or mow the grass at the ball diamond. Don’t have money to feed the poor? That’s okay, the local food kitchen has the food but they need someone to serve it. I challenge you to do something in the next week that is bigger than yourself. Volunteer for something that helps someone else.
It is now your turn to make a difference in this world. Will you choose to be a victim? A passenger in the car of life or will you take the wheel and steer? Will you make a difference and do what you can?
Jamy Bechler is a certified John Maxwell leadership coach, speaker and trainer. You can contact him at Jamy@CoachBechler.com. You can also subscribe to his leadership newsletter by clicking here.