Making A Difference

“The greatest good we can do for others, is not first to share our riches with them, but to reveal theirs.” Zig Ziglar

What made you get out of bed this morning? Was it simply to repeat the same routine of the previous day, or was it to fulfil your true purpose?

“Every day you live a purposeful life, you grow in worth- every day you deny your purpose, you shrink in worth.“

With what frame of mind do you begin and end each day? And how exactly do you spend your time that’s sandwiched in between your waking and sleeping? Have you ever taken the time to reflect upon how you spend it? It is in fact, your most valuable resource.

I was recently invited to be a judge in a competition involving 20 young ladies (who are in Grades 11 and 12), entitled, “ Young Lady With A Heart “. Every single young lady gives of her time, talents and resources, on a regular basis, to serve either, the aged, underprivileged children or her less fortunate peers., or all of the above.

As I drove home from this event, which will forever be etched in my memory, I was filled with a sense of hope and totally in awe of these young ladies, who have yet to reach their full potential. Never will  I forget their deep compassion for others, nor their acute appreciation of the intrinsic value of each and every human being with whom they come into contact.

The candidates had a very clear idea of their gifts and talents, and how best to manage their time, in order to help others wherever and whenever they can. Although they do not have unlimited resources, it is evident that they give generously to those less fortunate than themselves.

They could take the easy way out-by giving a donation here and there and then to return to the comfort of their own homes. Instead, they have chosen to, “ roll up their sleeves “,and to interact with underprivileged children, the aged or their less fortunate peers.

How are you using your time, talents and resources? You might reply, “ But I don’t have any special gifts or talents.” If I told you that each candidate reiterated that what the children wanted most of all, was to be held, and what the elderly yearned for most of all, was to be acknowledged, smiled at and listened to, would you still reply that you don’t possess any special gifts or talents?

It’s quite simple really. All it needs is the decision to put the needs of others before one’s own. So simple, but so difficult to put into practice.

“ A new society doesn’t depend on new laws, but on new people.“