What One Thing Can I Do Today That Will Make A Positive Difference?

It's so easy in the face of all the negativity that surrounds us to just sink into the morass of misery and join the song of discontent with an attitude of apathy. I mean what's the use? It's so messed up anyway what can I do to help? What difference will one more piece of litter make? Who cares if I break the law, everyone else does. And so bit by bit we slide down the slippery slope into chaos, anarchy and total disrespect of self and others.

If nothing else, protect your integrity and your reputation by "Living your Best life". In order to "Live your Best life" you have to constantly question your actions. Ask yourself "Should I be doing this?" "Would I be proud to boast about what I am doing?" "Would I put this on my CV if I was applying for a job?" "Would I like it if someone did this to me?" "Would I tolerate this behaviour from others?"

What you must realise is this, whatever you do makes a difference so the predominant question is not "Am I making a difference?" but rather "Am I making a positive difference? Will others be better off because of my actions? Am I adding value?"

Always question your actions by asking "What problems am I, or could I be, the solution to?" or "What problem am I the cause of, or contributing to?" And yes, I know that there are many problems. Don't try to solve them all, or all of them at once, just do what you can to help. And here's the key, if you can't, or won't, help then at least do not make the problem worse and whatever you do, do not criticise, or discourage, those who are doing something no matter how small or ineffective you think their actions might be.

Do not be overwhelmed by the size of the problem. Remember that every big success is made up of many little successes, so identify what you can do and just get started. This story should illustrate this.

The Starfish Thrower

Early one morning after a storm out at sea a young man was walking on the beach when he saw an old man ahead of him. It looked like the old man was exercising for he was bending down then straightening up and making a throwing motion out to sea.

As the young man came closer he saw that the old man was picking up starfish and throwing them back into the sea. The beach was covered with hundreds of the little creatures that had washed out in the night due to the storm. What the old man was doing seemed like a pointless exercise to him. It did not seem to make any difference to the numbers on the beach however many the old man threw back.

"Seems like a waste of time to me" said the young man as he approached the old man. "Soon the sun will be up, and all these starfish will die. What difference will saving one or two make?" The old man bent down picked up another starfish and threw it out to sea "it makes a difference to that one" he said as he bent down to pick up another starfish.

The young man thought about this for a while then he too bent down and picked up a starfish.

Make this your motto "I shall pass through this world but once, any good that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any living thing, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect to do it, for I shall not pass this way again." and you will find that suddenly your world is a better place. We do walk this road but once. Learn to walk lightly but leave a trail that others will be empowered to follow. Be the example that others strive to live up to. Live your best life.

So today and every day ask yourself "What one thing can I do today that will make a positive difference?"