Human beings are simple yet complicated creatures but every human being possesses some unique and Making a difference; a phrase with just three words yet holds so much power. Remember how you felt when you help someone with something, or the simple fact of making someone smile. Remember that feeling of accomplishment, peace and happiness. Imagine how beautiful it will be to feel that as often as you can. Mind you, the amazing thing about this whole scenario is that you are making someone else’s day beautiful and peaceful.
magnificent abilities that can create value and make a difference in the world. These abilities can monumentally change the lives of others.
We must not think that we can only make a difference in someone’s life when we become extremely rich and/or influential. A difference can be made in so many ways with little to no efforts. In this piece, some ways will be suggested on how to do that.
First and foremost, here are quick questions to get us going. Have you ever volunteered before? How did you feel at the end of the activity or whatever it was? Did you want to do it again? If your answers to those questions are positive then please keep up the good work, you are doing amazing. If your answer is negative, it’s OK too. You just need to regroup and give it a try and I promise it will be good. Volunteerism is the feeling of giving out, using your abilities and the little or lot you have to make a difference. It is one of the methods that can easily create a ripple effect in your communities or the people around you.
We can volunteer in several ways which can tremendously make a difference in the lives of others. Just imagine how much impact you can have by mobilizing a group of people to accomplish some activities in your communities: Cleaning the environment, removing waste from the streets, ditches and riversides! These are just some examples and a lot more amazing things can be accomplished. This will not only make our environments clean but will go a long way in preventing diseases. Does it require us to be Bill Gates or Dangote? Certainly, the answer is NO.
2. A simple act of kindness from every single one of us can help change the world. Everything cannot be done by one person but everyone can do something and remember that the small things make up the big things. A contribution from everyone, no matter how small it is, can bring something big. We should not say that we are not having enough and we should therefore keep the little we have to ourselves. If you don’t have the ability to share what you have with everyone, share it with someone and it will make an impact. For example, sharing a loaf of bread with a friend can be helpful. A small act of kindness can go a long way and make a huge difference in other people’s lives more than we can imagine.
3. Money? well, it’s an important piece of the puzzle but it’s not all that people need. Sometimes or most of the time what we need as human beings is someone to connect with and someone to understand us. We all need affection, so why not being more sympathetic, empathetic toward other people. Smiling and being open to people is a start and a very important step. A Buddha proverb says “one candle can light thousand other candles and its life will not be shortened. Happiness can be shared with people and sharing it will not decrease it if it doesn’t increase.” Having an ear that listens and a heart of empathy in difficult situations can make a huge difference.
Here is a scenario for you to reflect on, remember when you felt like you didn’t belong to a particular environment or a group of people, or when you were in an uncomfortable setting. It was not a nice feeling and it would have been great if someone put in the littlest effort to make you feel comfortable. Wouldn’t it? So, what I’m trying to get to here, is being the person you needed when you were in a difficult position for other people. This is the least we could do and gradually if everyone plays their role, no one and I mean NO ONE would find themselves in those uncomfortable circumstances. You can equally lift someone by simply telling the individual “your situation is not easy but don’t worry, everything will be fine. Stay strong.” These are wonderful gestures that cost us nothing.
4. As the saying goes sharing is caring. Sharing knowledge and wisdom can make a difference. Teaching people will not only help them; it will equally help you. The more we share our knowledge, the more we learn. Helping a friend who does not understand a concept is good for both of you. Also, reaching out to those who have limited formal education to discuss pertinent issues relating to health and other domains will go a long way into making them more aware.
5. We often stumble upon situations in which people need help and dare not to belittle your intervention. When you come across an incident where you can intervene positively, do it! You can, for instance, meet an old person carrying a heavy luggage, help them carry it. Also, in cases where accidents occur, prompt first aid is needed. Stopping to help can save a life. Stopping to help a driver whose vehicle got stuck in a mud or has a breakdown can be immensely helpful. There might be a passenger rushing for an interview or going to board a plane, just imagine helping the driver fix the problem and the passenger eventually being able to make it for the interview or board the plane!
The aforementioned and many others not included are some great ways we can make a difference in the world. They don’t cost us much and can in unimaginable ways impact others positively. Nothing should be more thrilling than putting light in the lives of others. The means are available with us, or dare I say we are the means. We have the power and everything else we could possibly need within ourselves. Let’s have the willingness to do it! LET US BE SUPERHEROES!
By Omar Cham, the aspiring penner!
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