jMoore!

Absolutely, without question or qualification.

Thoughts on making a difference:

1. “To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world” Brandi Snyder

2. Right now, it’s very politically correct to be helpful, caring, and generous. That makes it harder to be authentic. When we are authentically making a difference, we are usually standing alone. Can you bring yourself to disagree with the crowd? Even if you’re not ready to be visibly on the opposing side of an argument, can you resist repeating and reposting and retweeting the things that give that argument legs?

3. Can you even find a way to make a difference in your own life? Can you take one small segment of time as you start your day and figure out what one thing is just driving you crazy? Is it a real obstacle or inefficiency or is it an emotional investment in not making even a minor change because it’s not worth your time? Can you just take that one thing and fix it today so it’s not in your way tomorrow?

4. Small business and community go together. You are most likely either a small business owner or wishing that you knew how to be one. How can you make a difference in your community and gain some new relationships in the process? Did you know that every organization in your town has at least one event each year that is supposed to raise money. Someone is handed the job of soliciting donations and usually that person hates the job because it seems like the most objectionable. Find the organization in your town that speaks to your heart (or to your business) and become someone they can call. Start a collection in your office supply closet of “swag” you carry home, or gift certificates, or tee shirts, or even products from “your” merchants. Be ready with a fancy tag and donate regularly to the silent auctions and charity events in your community. Keep your mouth shut about how important you and your business are and let the natural curiosity be your “word of mouth”.

5. Even though the whole random acts of kindness thing has become a cliche, it’s still a very good guide to making a difference. Do you remember how cool it is to find something nice hanging on your front door knob? What about someone who lends a hand when you’re overloaded in the checkout line? I don’t agree with stopping traffic to let someone out of the Kroger parking lot, but the person who gets out feels like you were kind It takes only a second to change someone’s outlook on life. The biggest problem in finding ways to do that is that you have to bring the right mindset to living in this very moment. Good journey!