Making a difference in someone’s life

Columns

November 25, 2005

Mike Casuscelli The Greensburg Daily News Fri Nov 25, 2005, 01:48 AM EST

What does it mean to make a difference in someone’s life? How many opportunities do we have in a day to make a difference for someone be it someone we may know or a perfect stranger. Better yet, how many times do we act on those opportunities?

Many of us are blessed from the perspective that we don’t need help. But, there are many folks in need that we pass by each day because we are caught up in our own lives. The holiday season usually affords us opportunity to reflect on those folks in need but what about the rest of the year? It is great that we can focus on others during the holidays but we really should think about the many opportunities we have that we pass by each day.

Some folks are more needy than others are. Some folks have needs beyond our means. Some folks may look up to us in ways we may never know. It is not human nature to seek help but it should be human nature to recognize those in need. Unfortunately, the fast paced lives we live whizzes along at the speed of light. We become comet like from the perspective of blazing along a path that does not allow us to stop along the way to impact those who recognize the magnitude of our potential impact.

Making a difference in someone’s life may take little effort. A kind or encouraging word, a pat on the back, or even a smile may go a long way in making someone feel good. In stead of whisking comet like through a crowd or a group of folks you see each day it may be worthwhile for you to stop for a few moments in order to identify that opportunity to make a difference for someone.

Maybe it will take a concerted effort on your behalf to think about the folks you interact with each day. It could be friends, family or coworkers that may need your moment of attention. That simple pause with them to think about them and what is going n in their world may go a long way in making their day, or even their life. Yes, it could be that important that the opportunity you pass today might influence someone’s life in a positive or negative manner.

Yes, there’s a lot of pressure on us to take care of our families and ourselves. And, yes, our family should come first. Maybe that difference making opportunity lies with a family member.

Some folks have the means in which to make a difference with their position or wealth. Many do not but the opportunities to effect change are many. The opportunity to effect change may be a fleeting moment and may never be present again. In this season of reflection and sharing the time to make a difference is today. If it is only one day that you think about the influence you may have one someone. Make it today.

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