3. Making a difference

I can do something I know makes a difference

Check List:

Re: 3. Making a difference

Accepting the gift in the thanks of a homeless person to whom I gave spare change, and hearing the silent thanks of a nameless person for whom just a little click of a mouse enabled the gift of sight.

Re: 3. Making a difference

Today I had a wonderful experience with a friend.

We made it through a rainstorm to a sunny wonderful afternoon climbing cliffs and walking trails on the coast in our town. We walked up on a large sea otter, looked through owl pellets, watched an eagle fly over us and watched seagulls dive for fish.

We walked up on a tiny deer up on a little rise just looking at us. smiling in the sun, we both say down in meditation. later we found that there was actually 2 deer and not one.

we picked some stinging nettle for soup, picked up some swordfish and tuna for sushi and went home to some friends and spent a great afternoon together.

and the list will go on…. (let me write that in my notebook)

blissfully

Ryon

Re: 3. Making a difference

For me counselling at LifeLine is how I feel I make a difference. I am so grateful to have something I can do which makes a difference because the times of my life when I felt I wasn't able to make a difference felt so terrible. Having said that - there are many opportunities to make a difference in small and sometimes bigger ways. The main thing I like to focus on is my spiritual development because I feel this prepares the ground for me doing more meaningful work and also, if all beings attend to their spiritual development there would not be the same suffering in the world which we see.

Re: 3. Making a difference

That's beautiful, Anna.

The three main areas of focus for me right now in making a difference are here on Gaia, in the discussion groups, blog commenting and responding privately to people's questions and concerns; working at my learning centre helping empower my students better to reach their potential in their math and English skills, and ongoing training of my staff, who are mostly young people, and with the International Association of Kumon Franchisees, supporting and developing networks among my colleagues who run learning centres.  

Re: 3. Making a difference

Striving to live and share in a way that I can silently communicate the truths as they've been presented to me….and then knowing when I have or have not done so.

Re: 3. Making a difference

Yesterday while shopping at Aldi an elderly lady was trying to swipe her card to pay and it wouldnt work. She was getting frustrated and embarrassed. She tried about 5 times. Her husband took the card and swiped it and it worked. I could see she was feeling really humiliated about holding up the line and him getting it straight away. I thought about how I would feel in her place. I hesitated briefly thinking will I say something or not?

So I said “Dont you just hate it when the boys get it right and we get it wrong?” She looked up and smiled, obviously relieved. Her husband said “Hey you girls are sticking up for one another” I said “Of course. We have to.” As she moved away she looked straight at me and said “Thankyou”. Sometimes it takes so little to make a difference in a small brief moment.  My words just came out and I realised afterwards when she walked away smiling and happy that I had been used for good. It was so simple and small things like that do make a difference and in future I will continue to not hold back from connecting with strangers if it will make a difference.

Re: 3. Making a difference

it is always precious when we risk giving voice to those inner feelings, then see resonance play itself out

Re: 3. Making a difference

Jenny, well done! Not only did you make a difference but determined not to hold back in the future. And your example inspires the rest of us.

Re: 3. Making a difference

Jenny, beautiful. I can see that luminous connection made between you both.

Re: 3. Making a difference

Cleaning around the house.
Listening to others and accepting them.
Showing affection for others.
Visiting websites that donate free food.
Smiling at everyone I meet.

Re: 3. Making a difference

sounds so rewarding, KJ