Who or what has had a positive impact on your life? We can be positively impacted by a person, a book, a movie, or even an experience. We can also have a positive impact on society through our actions and deeds. Sometimes our lives can have a profound positive impact when we least expect it. You never know how much life can change, until you have experienced it. We seldom think about the significant impact our teachers, mentors, or even our fellow students have had on us until we have a chance to reflect on it. The same goes for a book or a movie; in that moment, it takes us into another world. As we truly digest the content or the context, it may impact us in ways that are lasting and cherished. Words of wisdom that are imparted to us by people we respect will be carried on for generations when shared with many. We ourselves may not even realize that we must have a positive impact on someone's life. Let's be honest, how often do we think about whether we've made a difference or if someone has made a difference in our lives? As humans, we are caught up in the next trend or fads of society, and we seldom take the time for meaningful reflection. Only when we pause to reflect can we understand the positive impact that someone or something had on us. It is within our nature to absorb information; however, does everything we absorb actually add value to us? A positive impact, regardless of its origin, will always contribute to our overall growth and development.
"In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact."
- Les Brown
“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.”
– Albert Schweitzer
“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.”
– Muhammad Ali
“Everyone has a purpose in life and a unique talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.”
– Kallam Anji Reddy
“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you.”
– Mother Teresa
We all can have a positive impact on the community or on someone's life. There are numerous ways to have a positive impact, such as volunteering and mentoring. Making a difference is highly impactful and doesn't require much time or effort to accomplish. Many years ago, while attending a community college, I created a student mentor program that allowed students to help one another and the broader community. I saw how much of a difference it made in students' lives, and in the community. I cherished every moment and was proud of the positive impact it had. With a little effort, we can have a positive impact on many. The fundamental need and willingness to uplift the life of a single individual or many is simply rooted in selflessness. The gift of giving is taught in the texts of many religions, although not practiced widely across cultures due to the confines of selfishness. A mere sharing of food and time, or donating to causes that truly make a difference, is no doubt a sincere act of selflessness. We live in a world of greed, filled with ambitions without merit and gratitude, where most people seldom stop and think about people who face hardships every day. Kindness, humility, and compassion are often limited to those who truly make a difference daily since they are instilled with empathy and understanding for all. Life can be unpredictable at times; honestly, we may never know when we may need the kindness and compassion of someone.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
“The end of all knowledge should be service to others.”
– Cesar Chavez
“As we lose ourselves in the service of others we discover our own lives and our own happiness.”
– Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
- Anne Frank
“So long as we love we serve; so long as we are loved by others, I would almost say that we are indispensable; and no person is useless while he has a friend.”
– Robert Louis Stevenson
“Joy can only be real if people look upon their life as a service and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness.”
– Leo Tolstoy
A positive impact is not only good for society, but it is also good for the person who is making the difference. Considering everything that is happening these days, some goodwill can be so impactful to many. Individuals who make a difference and have a positive impact on society display traits of high positivity and affectivity. They are driven with purpose and have a positive and grateful mindset. This enhances their personal growth and development, they are naturally nurturing individuals who truly care. Their acts of kindness are without personal gain, and the positive impact that they have on people's lives is meaningful and rewarding. In a world entrapped by social media, so-called influencers are in abundance. While most are using their platforms for attention and personal gain, others are using their personal experience and triumphs to make a difference. There are those dedicated few who are educating and inspiring many, and they are truly having a positive impact on society. If you want to truly make a difference and influence society, make sure to have a positive impact. Don't just be an influencer, make a difference that is meaningful and sustainable, and can positively impact society for the betterment of all. When you have a positive impact on an individual or society, you are taking the first step towards setting an example for others to follow.
“Without service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It’s important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It’s the way in which we ourselves grow and develop.”
– Dorothy Height
“There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you don’t do them.”
– Charles Gill
“Help others and give something back. I guarantee you will discover that while public service improves the lives and the world around you, its greatest reward is the enrichment and new meaning it will bring your own life.”
– Arnold Schwarzenegger
“Give your hands to serve, and your hearts to love.”
– Mother Teresa
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
– Desmond Tutu
“Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
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