To make a difference: Stop talking and simply do

“Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things.” ~ Frank Howard Clark (American Screenwriter)

When you look back on this time of your life five or 10 years from now, what will you remember? Will you remember how busy you were with classes or how many long hours you spent at work? I’m sure you will.

Will you remember the late nights out with your friends or the times when you made some stupid decisions? Again, the answer is yes. But I hope I can look back a decade from now and not wish I would have done more or spent more time forming relationships, friendships or forgetting my own priorities to help someone who could use my time more.

I often hear people say, “I wish I could volunteer more.” Or “I want to make a different.” OK… what are you waiting for? The opportunity might not jump in front of you or fall into your lap. At some point we must stop talking and start doing. It won’t be easy and it might not be comfortable, but wishing we could do more won’t make an impact on anybody.

Please keep in mind when reading this, that I am speaking to myself, as well.

Taking action, however, may interrupt your social life or take some away some of your weekend spending money. It may take some sacrifice. But I truly believe we were not made to go to school, work, or go out for the night and call our days a success.

I started reading a book called “Kisses from Katie” about a girl right out of high school who decided to move to Uganda and pour out her love on the children there. Don’t freak out or start shaking your head saying, “Well, not everyone can move across the world.” I’m not saying you have to, but she’s a great example of what can happen when we stop talking and starting doing.

The first page of the book let me know it would be powerful:

           

“People who really want to make a difference in the world usually do it, in one way or another. And I’ve noticed something about people who make a difference in the world: They hold the unshakeable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educated one mind, and treat one wound. They aren’t determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they’re satisfied with small changes. Over time, though, the small changes add up. Sometimes they ever transform cities and nations, and yes, the world.”

Not everyone, obviously, will go down in the history books or have a book written about them. But what is stopping us from making one day better for one person? My friend, Patrick, and I started the Flint Stories Project in the fall. We listened and shared stories of people who have had rough lives, lived on the streets of Flint or simply had a great story to tell. It captured a lot more attention than we ever thought it would. Readers seemed to really appreciate what we were doing, but then when we challenged our readers (there were hundreds) to go and talk with someone, listen to their story and share it with us, we got one. ONE.

Why? What is stopping us from making moves toward action? I do not believe we were called to live ordinary lives.

I hope when I look back on my life a decade from now I don’t regret missing an opportunity to talk with someone or build a relationship. I hope I continue to learn from my flaws and mistakes and challenge myself to step out of my box and comfort zone and do more than just talk about should be done and just do it.

Take time and challenge yourself this week. You never know what you can accomplish until you try.