Have you recently looked through your life, asking yourself this question, “Am I affecting the lives of others positively?” Have you ever taken time just to reflect and see those around you? Ralph Waldo Emerson said,
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
For as long as I have lived, I’ve noticed three kinds of people- those who hate their life and complain bitterly, those who just tolerate their life and see it as merely nothing, and finally those who love their life and relish it. The third kinds of people are those who stand out; these are individuals who are willing to answer the call to change to the world for the better.
Reflecting on my experience volunteering with Youth Central and those around me, I would say I’ve had the opportunity to meet people who have made some sort of impact in the world. Of course, this impact doesn’t have to be as momentous as finding the cure for cancer or feeding a million people. The impact I am referring to can be as simple as giving your time in your community or even helping a friend out in any particular area of their life. Although their impact may be seen as minimal, I believe individuals like these should be seen as courageous, self-sacrificing people who set examples for all of us. This makes me remember a quote by Robert F. Kennedy which says,
“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
In life, I’ve also noticed a recurring pattern that accompanies those who make a positive difference in the lives of others. Well, these individuals are not usually privileged, advantaged, or even unique by any account. A lot of theses individuals actually originate from disadvantaged families and limitless limitations, but they find ways to rise above their hopeless situation to reshape their lives as well as the lives of others.
Here are some values that should be present in you:
They Embrace Criticism
Individuals who make a positive difference aren’t always right; in fact, the mistakes they make give them the push into making a positive impact. Individuals like these feel the need to grow and be more effective; hence, they look into their shortcomings and embrace them. These sorts of individuals are strong and confident in the face of hostility. At the same time, they know how to incorporate criticism to strengthen them, thereby making an even bigger impact in the lives of others.
Their engagement with people is mutually beneficial
Certain individuals that exercise this value know because they know that positive impacts are based on strong relationships, connections, and contact. These people are not afraid of getting out there to make connections with others, share their talents, and sacrifice their time even when it is difficult. They have overcome any sort of timidity, shyness, or reluctance to be who they are; and have also learned to relate with others in order to elevate their relationship. They believe that the only way to guarantee a solid and authentic relationship with others is by positive and supportive.
They see their adventure as their primary objective
Finally, those that make a positive impact never take short cuts towards their objective. They don’t aspire for goals that have no end results, as their final goal in life because they believe there is no end; for them, life is a journey. They embrace life as a learning experience, which helps them set their mindset towards building the lives of others around them. Their ultimate goal is not to make a name for themselves, but to rather use their learning experiences to aid those they know.
So are you affecting the lives of those around you? And are these behaviours present in you?
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