The Power of Three by Lisa M. Dietlin

Author:Lisa M. Dietlin [Dietlin, Lisa M.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2014-05-28T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX Do Something Every Day that Makes a Difference to Someone Else.

“The greatest contributions are the ones you leave behind…” is a line from famed country music singer and songwriter Alan Jackson’s hit song “Small Town Southern Man.” It’s a sentiment much echoed by those who have been successful, especially entrepreneurs. I have heard many of them say, “…to those who much has been given, much is expected.” I would say that, regardless of your socioeconomic status, everyone should do something every day that makes a difference to someone else for no other reason than it simply is amazing to be able to do it.

What I have come to realize is that it really doesn’t matter where you are at in your life and its journey; you can give back and make a difference. Think about all the little ways you could do something for someone else. You could offer to watch a friend’s children so they could have a night off or out. You could mow your neighbor’s lawn, rake their leaves or shovel their driveway. You could take food or a meal to an elderly relative for no other reason than you simply want to do this. You might visit a pediatric ward with ill children to play games or chat. You could donate your “already read” magazines to a nursing home, hospital or domestic abuse shelter. You can hold a door open for someone coming in or out of the building you are entering or exiting. Truly, the list of things you could do every day is endless.

Personally, there are three things that I try to do each day to make a difference. First, I try to write a piece of personal correspondence to someone; second, I say a kind word or compliment to another person; and, finally, I pick up a piece of garbage, placing it in its proper receptacle. By doing these three simple things each day I know I am making a difference in the world.

I recently learned from a new friend about an activity a friend of his does. It seems his friend read that one of the most cited reasons people who are contemplating suicide don’t go through with the act is that someone paid attention to them, noticed them, smiled and waved to them or simply said hello. This simple act of acknowledging someone by smiling and waving prevented people from taking their own lives. So his friend began waving and smiling at everyone he meets all day long, recognizing that he might be saving a life or lives on a daily basis. This simple and small gesture has potentially a huge benefit for all who receive it. His friend is making a difference to others by something he does throughout the day for others.

Shortly after I began writing this chapter, I received a message that reinforced this recommendation. Truth be told, I receive a message every day from one of my favorite authors, Neale Donald Walsh, who wrote the Conversations with God series.

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