Those who expend their efforts looking for ways to serve others will find that they enjoy an abundant life. They may or may not have many possessions, but either way, that will not define them. They are rewarded constantly by the feelings that always accompany doing good for others.
“To make a difference in someone’s life, you don’t have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful, or perfect. You just have to care enough and be there.”
–Anonymous
“You may find that making a difference for others makes the biggest difference in you.”
–Brian Williams
“The mind has exactly the same power as the hands: not merely to grasp the world, but to change it.”
–Colin Wilson
“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in our hands to make a difference.”
–Nelson Mandela.
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It was just another ordinary day in Izmit, Turkey in 1999. Ordinary people doing their ordinary work going about what they usually do when suddenly the earthquake hit – changing the lives of all the people in Turkey and around the world. 17000 people were snatched up into eternity and over 50000 were injured, families shattered, and yes you can imagine the shock of suffering and agony.
Jay Ees from Europe was just an ordinary person who had responded without a moment’s hesitation to volunteer in the after search and rescue operations. After almost 16 hours of non-stop effort in helping people, he paused to sit on dust-covered partial steps of what was once a building sheltering families now torn apart, just to get himself together, alone. His knuckles were covered with bruises, hastily protected by band-aids, face weary, forehead blood-stained and yes very tired. The heat, dust, and atmosphere added to the weariness of body and soul. Alone, he contemplated on the why’s, how-could this happen and the various unexplainable questions that raced through his mind. He did not quite notice a once-elegant lady, now wearing tattered blood-stained clothes, bandaged up, limping out of the shadows towards him. He was startled but did not say anything……. The lady quietly dragged herself to the same steps and sat down with a groan as the pain shot through her limbs.
After a few moments of silence, she gently asked, “why……… please tell me why….why did you come here leaving the comfort of your home and family.” She offers Jay a half-full plastic container of Ayran (Turkish buttermilk)….. This question surprised Jay, who had served as a volunteer in many countries earlier. He had not thought of the why’s and the wherefore’s before. It was just instinct… yet this question took him by surprise.
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It is still a valid question today as to why we do what we do when we do and how we do – anything.
Out of the blue this total stranger, hurt and bruised herself, perhaps personally affected by the tragedy of the quake, and despite her pain, took a few moments to approach and sit beside him…just to ask a seemingly inquisitive question. Most of us do have such questions of others, and asking such is a powerful invitation to hear something that could be positive, and yet most often, we do not take the opportunity to share a few moments with our loved ones, colleagues, friends, perhaps just because we are too busy with our own things to notice that they need a sympathetic look, smile or even a calming word. We just do not know what we are truly missing. One shared moment can change lives.
The question “Why”, by that lady who had suffered much during that earthquake did change Jay’s life forever. It gave him a new dimension and meaning to life and “why we do what we do when we do” made “sharing” a fundamental part of his life.
Yes, I would love to sit quietly beside you, and yes, we can talk about the miracle of life while we still have the capacity to appreciate it in all of its wonder and beauty.
REMEMBER: It’s the little things we do every day that really make a huge difference.
“We CAN make a difference, not just a mere living.” Let us just do it.
Our life is our message to the world. Let us make sure it’s inspiring.
May your life be filled with adventure, love, and happiness that springs from within you.
Well said Jonathan and so true! The Bible says he who waters will himself (or herself) be watered. Being an others-centered person is usually not natural for us – not our tendency, but so rewarding. I’m involved in a few service type activities and always walk away feeling I’ve received more than I’ve given. I personally believe we all have a God-shaped vacuum the cannot be filled with anything but Him……and once He fills us, our purpose for living becomes clear over time, fulfilling and (I believe) is the only thing that brings true, lasting, and eternal inner peace and joy. Thank you for sharing this Jonathan!
Mike, thank you so much for adding value to this discussion. I am so thankful for your testimony.
Through my personal experience in my business, private and social life, I have come to this fundamental premise: If we, as responsible citizens, were to conduct our lives and even our business in such a way that our fellow members were enriched by their experience with us, rather than drained by it, they would go out into the society as able and better parents, friends, spouses, and members of the community. And this would be an amazing opportunity and responsibility.
We must realize that if we want to make a difference, if we want to touch the future — we should touch a life. Go ahead. Let that “touch” be the same inspiration that touched us, that changed us, that made us live today the way we want to be remembered tomorrow.
I too have come to realize that as I pray to God, my prayer is this HELP ME TO HELP as I want nothing else but to see the people around me at home, in business, my associates, employees and all their families to benefit in so many ways from what I do every day.
Johnathan, everything we do that is good touches those who pass our way and it is always a reward we may not always know. Great article.
Very true Lynn, we are doubly blessed when we do touch someone’s lives, however small it may be. Thank you.
Thank you most kindly, Lynn. It is true that we touch people mostly without touching them: We touch them with our words, with our smile, with our eyes, with our courage, with our madness, with millions of different ways!
What are we? We are contacting beings without contacting!”
Jonathan – What a wonderful article – full of truth and hope. I prayer it is read by many because the world needs this message.