Many people believe that they don’t have what it takes to make a difference to the world. They believe only people like Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, and the likes, are capable of making a difference. The truth is every one of us is put in this world to contribute and make a difference to the world in our own unique ways. It need not be something out of the world. It just needs to be something you do with the intention of ‘doing good’.
A young man used to regularly argue with God. ‘’O God’’ he used to say, ‘’you call yourself the creator of this world?You better know what a mess you’ve made in creating it this way. There is povery, hunger, inequality, injustice of all kinds, ethnic conflict, riots... and what not.’ God didn’t answer him for quite some time but the young man did not stop complaining. One day he asked God impatiently, ‘God are you deaf? Don’t you hear my queries at all? Why don’t you do something about making this world a better place?’’
This time God answered, He said ‘’my son, I agree with all that you say about the world but remember, I created you with the power to make a difference! Stop complaining and start working! You can make a difference.’’ There are so many ways that we can make a difference to the world.
How to Make a Difference
* It Need Not Be an Enormous Task
You already have what it takes to make the world a better place. Making a difference to the world may seem like an enormous task but it is in fact a collective effort of everyone to makea small contributions with a big heart. The size of the contribution is not what matters most. The key here is to have the heart to do it.
* Start Now
There is no one best time to start to make a difference to the world. You don’t need to wait till you have the time to share some love; you don’t have to wait till you make more money to share a slice of bread. Little efforts counts and you can start making small contributions today.
*Your Contribution is never too small
If you think that everything has been taken care of by somebody and your contribution is not going to make much of a difference, then you’re wrong. Can you imagine if everyone else starts to think the same way? In fact, it is our responsibility to seek ways to contribute, large or small. You don’t have to be concerned you’re only capable of making small contributions. What counts is the effort.
*The Greatest Gifts of All
Happiness and love are the two greatest gifts you can give to the world. Too often, we’re too indulged in our own gratifications that we forget there are people in this world that we can make a little happier and feel more loved. As the saying goes, “To receive, you must first give.” The more you give, the more you’ll receive. Let us remind ourselves that in order to receive more happiness and love, let’s spread more of them first
* Empower Other People
You can change the world by helping one person at a time. One of the ways to help someone is to empower the person. But how do you empower a person? We can be generous in giving praise and encouragement instead of criticism.
By praising and encouraging the person, you’d have helped him/her to accomplish what he/she is meant to be, and that would lead to more value being added to the world.
* Seek to Make a Long-Lasting Effect
This is Mr Disraeli’s version of ‘give a man a fish; you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish; you feed him for a lifetime.’
The good that we seek to do will make more of a difference when there’s a long-lasting effect rather than a temporary effect. For example, if we make contributions to build a school, it will benefit many people for years to come.
And when more people receive education, they will in turn provide more value to the world.
*Stop Whining and Do Something All the whining and complaining in the world is not going to make a difference to the world. It will only drain you of your precious energy from doing things that do make a difference.
Instead of whining and complaining, seek to use the time more productively by engaging in activities that matter. When it comes to making a difference, nothing matters more than taking actions.
*Lead the Way
Other than doing things to make a difference, we should also seek to influence others to start doing things that make a difference. And the best way to convince other people is to lead by example.
Start doing whatever is within your ability today. Start showing more concern and love to the people around you. Start to make monthly donations to your favourite charity. Start putting more effort in your work to increase the value output
You are unique.
You are important.
You are special.
One song can spark a moment One Flower can wake the dream One tree can start a forest One bird can herald spring One smile begins a friendship One handclap lifts a soul One star can guide a ship at sea One word can frame the goal One vote can change a nation. One doesn’t need to be Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Thomas Edison to make a difference. The simple truth is that all of us can make a little difference wherever we are and whatever we do.
Poverty and hunger will always be there, natural calamities and ethnic conflicts will continue to happen and there will always be people who take undue advantage of others, While we cannot stop this, we can and we are called to make a difference. This is all the more present scenario of our country where superstitions still abound and social evils thrive. Ahimsa and secularism are slowly moving backstage. Let’s not merely curse the darkness ‘let’s do something to cast the darkness out! Believe in yourself’, you can make a difference!..
Every effort counts, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem. Just do something, and do something good.
Sr.Tincy SABS, Assistant Professor Dept of History, St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama.
