Change the world, one interaction at a time.

Today is “Giving Tuesday,” a day that was created in 2012 to encourage people to give back.  This sounds like a great idea, especially after the gluttony of black Friday. If you have the means to donate to a charity or to donate gently used clothes to the Salvation Army or an organization of your choice I encourage you to do so.  I truly believe in the power of love and the difference we can all make in other people’s lives.

I haven’t written anything lately because I just don’t write unless something inspires me.  The preparation of this fall holiday season wipes me out and I’ve been feeling overwhelmed.  Today I am taking time to stop and write and to share some thoughts on the beauty of having a good heart.  The truth is that we have the ability to make a difference every single day.

Your actions matter.  Your responses to others matter.   You always have a choice to lift someone up or to drag someone down.  Every day you have a choice to use positive or negative words.  What you put on Facebook, what you say to others, the scowl or the smile you have on your face, the door that you hold open for a stranger, these moments all have power.

You can be the change you want to see in the world.  Never underestimate that free will, that power you have inside of you.  Good deeds can ripple outwards and create a positive Domino effect.  I think that far too often we think that our actions don’t matter, that we have to do some big volunteer event or big donations to really make a difference.  Often times the most powerful moments are the small ones.

Think back to a time when someone said an encouraging words, gave you an unexpected pep talk or counseled you through a difficult situation.  Pay it forward.  Remember how you were lifted up and how it positively rippled through your own life and watch the difference you can make in another person’s life as a result.  Your actions will never be forgotten.

So many of us are blessed and there are so many opportunities to stop, look and listen to those around you.  This holiday season and all days of the year, I encourage you to let your heart lead the way and make a difference in the world around us.  The effect of one good-hearted person is incalculable.  Live your life with compassion and pay it forward, every chance that you get.