On January 1, 2011, I not only started on my giving journey, but I started writing a blog, 1 Making A Difference. You see when I set out to give a gift every day for a month, which turned into 522 days, I didn't have a goal of reaching the masses. I strived as one person, to make a difference, in another person's life every day. It was a journey that changed me, and I continue to live this goal every day.
I wrote on my blog, "1 Making a Difference™ shows how easy it is for one person to make a difference through daily giving of gifts. It is my goal to make people feel happy or moved when they read the gift giving stories. I want the ideas shared to motivate you to give and get involved. I want to stop being focused on self and strive to make serving others a priority. I challenge you to do the same. I believe one person can make a difference."
Today is Making a Difference Day. According to the website with the same name, this is a day with a single purpose: to improve the lives of others. It's one of the largest annual single-days of service nationwide.
I think it is great we have a day focused on Making a Difference, but I don't believe this is just one day. I think we should seek to Make a Difference every day. Yes, one day can make an impact, but the compound effect of making a difference daily can change the world.
I'll conclude with one of my favorite stories,
"An old man walked up a shore littered with thousands of starfish, beached and dying after a storm. A young man was picking them up and flinging them back into the ocean.
"Why do you bother?" the old man scoffed. "You're not saving enough to make a difference."
The young man picked up another starfish and sent it spinning back to the water. "Made a difference to that one," he said.
Giving Challenge: Celebrate every day as Making a Difference day!
Blessings,
Stephanie
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About the Author:
Stephanie Jones and her husband, Mike, live in Northwest, IN and enjoy lake life and travel. Stephanie is the author of The Giving Challenge-40 Days to a More Generous Life (on sale NOW!), a speaker, life success coach, and a daily giver. She gives a gift every day and challenges others to do the same.
You can contact Stephanie by email at Stephanie@GivingGal.com