You Can Make a Difference in This World. Yes You Can!
You can if you try.
I was recently introduced to a man by a mutual friend. In conversation it transpired that he did not read newspapers, listen to the radio or watch television. I asked him how he got on not knowing what was going on in the world. He replied that he could not change anything, he just lived his life as he chose. He is unmarried and is able to please himself what he does and when he does it. This seems on the surface to be a lovely state of affairs, without commitment to anybody or anything but I thought this to be a shallow and selfish existence. Later as the time passed he redeemed himself and I was so annoyed with myself that I had jumped to conclusions.
The football team.
Peter revealed that he has an interest, this is football. Every Wednesday evening he coached schoolboy football teams. Every Saturday and Sunday he was at football matches with his charges. Along with mums and dads, he organised the leagues, the kit, team selection, the buses to take everyone to the matches and everything else required of a dedicated, caring volunteer. That dear reader is making a difference.
The Starfish.
On my way home an old story came to mind; A man was walking along a near deserted beach. He was bending over at times picking up Starfish and throwing them back into the sea. A second man walked passed and asked why he was doing such a thing. The tide would soon be in again, depositing more Starfish in the beach. Hundreds of them he said, 'You won't make any difference' The first man picked up another Starfish and threw it into the waves. He turned to the second man, looked him in the eye and said 'I made a difference to him' Such a small act but he was making a difference.
A friend in need.
A few years ago a friend of mine lost his sight. After a while he was awarded a Guide Dog, this made a tremendous difference to his life, allowing him to go out alone and giving his wife a little time to herself, for as his carer she had indeed been making a difference. He became involved in fund raising for the provision of Guide Dogs for other people, who were unable to see what we perhaps, take for granted. He attended meetings and functions at times and sometimes I would drive him to the venue. Sometimes I might stay with him, other times I would drop him off and then pick him up and bring him home. He volunteered his services. He was making a difference. I although not involved with his work, was also making a difference, the smallest gesture, the smallest act of kindness can mean so much to so many. I wonder what you might do today to make a difference.
Why Be A Nice Guy? Is It Worth It?
Please see photographs below.
© 2013 Graham Lee
Comments
AUTHORHi Ciel. Thank you for your kind comments and visit. Sorry for the delay in answering. Best wishes. Graham.
Made a difference to him/her- love this reference & love that you wrote a post about it.
Agree.
Ps rescued one squirrel today. Didn’t make much difference to us, definitely did to her/him Xo
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For ever onward was the cry!
Graham.
Yes, we all have times when 'life' takes over our time and energies in different directions. Coming to the end of a house refurbishment, I'm hoping to give more time to HP now!
Ann
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Hi Ann. Thank you for your kind and valued comments. Life can be difficult sometimes. I have not been as prominent on the pages myself recently, perhaps we will both remedy that. Thanks again.
Graham.
Superb message, Graham! I love the horse and dog photo - the perfect illustration. We can indeed make a difference, often by doing the smallest thing, often by just smiling at someone in the street. I've noticed that if I do that, most people smile back; it just spreads a little sunshine.
My 'differences' tend to be mostly family but I do try to reach out to as many of my friends as possible, as well as the occasional person in the street who might need assistance. I could have done with such help once when I fell awkwardly, was obviously having problems walking down a hill holding on to a railing, and not one of the many passersby offered help! That made me promise myself that I would help others more.
Thanks for an uplifting read this morning.
Ann :)
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Hi Elsie. Thank you for your welcome visit and valued comments. Yes it would be nice if everyone tried a little harder to do just a little bit every now and then.
Graham.
Interesting reading, you are right everyone of us can make a difference in what we do everyday no matter how small it is.
Thanks for sharing, it gave me food for thought, it's never too late to do something nice for someone, so why not right now?
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Hi Stella. Thanks for your visit and comments. Lovely to hear from you, just keep on pickin' for Christmas. A merry Christmas to you and yours from me and mine
Graham.
Great Hub and I always enjoy reading them. Merry Christmas. Stella
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Hi Iris. Thank you for your valued visit and comments. It really doesn't take much to be nice, does it. Thanks again.
Graham.
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Amen! I couldn't agree with you more.
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Hi prasetio30. Thank you for your valued visit and comments. I do appreciate your votes.
Graham.
Very inspiring hub. Thanks for sharing with us. Voted up!
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I write this a correction. please ignore.
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Hi whonunuwho. Thank you for your valued visit and comments. Wonderful things can happen if we make just a little effort.
Graham.
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Hi Peggy. Thank you for your visit and most welcome comments. I'm glad you liked it. Thank you for your votes and lovely gestures.
Graham.
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Hi Jo. Thank you for your visit and lovely comments. I'm glad you liked the photograph it really makes the point. Thank you so much for the votes and sharing.
Graham.
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Hi Nadine. Thank you for your visit and lovely comments. That golden age would be wonderful. Thank you so much for your votes.
Graham.
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Hi Paula. Thank you so much for your wonderful comments. I think we can all do a little something somewhere each day. Thank you again. I do appreciate your votes.
Graham.
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Hi Mary. Thank you for your visit and welcome comments. If we know we do are best then we have what we are all seeking 'Peace of mind' Thank you for your vote and sharing.
Graham.
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Hi Linda. Thank you for your welcome visit and comments. Yes, the secret and unheralded gestures are the most valuable.
Graham.
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Hi teaches12345. Thank you for your valued visit and comments, I am extremely pleased that you felt my hub to be inspirational. As you say a heartfelt gesture is indeed a treasure given.
Graham.
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Hi Mary. Thank you so much for your visit and lovely comments. Yes, little things mean so much.
Graham.
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It's amazing what one small act of kindness can accomplish. Just think what might happen if we all did this act each day. Nice work. whonu
Sometimes the smallest of gestures might mean the world to someone on the receiving end of things. Great message in this hub. Up votes and definitely sharing with my followers + tweeting and g+ and pinning.
A wonderful message that we can all learn from, the smallest acts of kindness can make a difference. The gentleman in your story was a good example, loved the image of the horse and the dog. Up and sharing.
I simply loved your hub Graham. Making a difference for the good of all in this 3D reality is all what it takes. If every individual does that in their own way we will enter the golden age! Well done. Voted up.
Graham....An extremely inspiring hub, my friend. I believe in this concept ......"making a difference"....because it is so very true. Just as you relate these brief stories of individuals who extend their time and talents to others......imagine the hundreds more we can witness each day.
Thousands of efforts in generosity certainly CAN make a difference......and they do....everyday for so many.
This is beautiful, Graham...Up+++
I love the photo of the horse carrying the dog on his back! Yes, we can all do all our part in making a difference in this crazy world.
Voted UP, and shared.
It is those who give from the heart who add rich treasure to our lives. You have inspired me with stories of people such as this.
Amen, Graham. I truly appreciated the starfish story...no matter how small the gesture is, just doing it is what's important. The most touching gestures are the ones that remain unknown...in secret...those are the ones that mean the most :)
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Hi habee. Thank you for your valued visit and welcome comments. We would change so much if we could would we not. Thank you for the votes.
Graham.
This is a wonderful hub, and I totally agree. People are always telling me that I can't change the world when I help the elderly, the needy, and animals. Like your starfish story, however, I can help change the world of a few individuals! Voted up, etc.
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Hi TIMETRAVELER2. Thank you for your valued visit and comments. Thanks also for the vote. It's nice to know that a brief encounter made a difference, for the better I hope.
Graham.
I think we all feel there is little we can do to make a difference, but the truth is that even the smallest thing, something you might not even realize you have done, can do so. Someone did this for me many years ago in a brief encounter, and her words changed my life forever. Great post and voted up.
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Thank you Mary for your helpful and encouraging comments. I do appreciate them. Thank you also for the votes.
Graham.
While HubPages may not list this as a 'featured' hub, probably not enough words...it is a good hub with a solid message. Each of the three short stories you presented do point out how easy it is to make a difference.
Each of us can make a difference and like you, I wonder what we will do today!
Voted up, useful, and interesting.
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Hi Laurie. Thank you for your visit and valued comments. Yes, if we can help someone along then we should, it's the only way.
Graham.
Nicely done, great words.
Any little gesture makes all the difference to most people. Acts of kindness can be just a hug.
We can make a difference by uniting together.
Blessings
Laurie
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Thank you so much for your comment. I cannot understand what is wrong with this hub and genuinely feel it should be featured. Thanks for your visit.
Graham.
Very inspiring. We all have it in us to make a positive difference to the world. Ps. (ref comment above) I have only just noted that sometimes a Hub that is sub-standard can later change to standard. Good luck with this.
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Hi Eddy. Thank you so much for your lovely comments and actions. Hub pages tell me this hub will not be featured as it is sub-standard. Yes, no images or boxes but it is so well received. Both you and Bill put it on Facebook. Oh well never mind eh.
Graham.
A great hub Graham and yes we can all make a change. Nothing is too small and I vote up/share this gem onto my FB page A Brand New Dawn.
Take care and have a wonderful day my friend.
Eddy.
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Thanks Annie. I'm glad I made your day, it's always a pleasure to receive you visits and comments. If it is getting to much, do what your heart says.
Best wishes.
Graham.
Hi Graham.
Your reply to my comment also made a difference. Up here in the mountains on my own is getting a bit much, hence my need to return to the UK and be amongst family. Emails are sometimes the only human contact I have for days on end so every one is treasured and looked forward to and yours has just made my day. Thank you :)
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Hi Ruby. Thank you for your visit and comments. Yes it is easy to make that difference daily.
Thank you.
Graham.
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Hi CrisSp. Thank you for your lovely comments and thank you for sharing. Yes, today you have shared this hub. An act of kindness, you see you have already made a difference! Thank you so much.
Graham.
There is so much we all can do, look around, there is always someone in need. Thank you for reminding us...
"the smallest gesture, the smallest act of kindness can mean so much to so many." ~ that is so very true Graham. What very important message definitely worth sharing.
Thank you.
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Hi Bill. Thanks as usual your visits are valued. This hub is as you know brand new. Hubpages have sent the usual email saying it is not of good standing and is not being featured. I am disappointed at his. They have said the same about The bomb on Christmas eve. A new one earlier this week its difficult to understand them at times. Furthermore many of my hubs have put themselves in the Education and Science category. I don't know how to change this. Sorry to rant Bill.
Graham.
You are speaking my language this morning, Graham. Sharing this on my H.O.W. Facebook page. Great message my friend.
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Hi Jackie. Thank you for your valued comments and votes. Yes when we think about it, just helping someone along makes a difference to them.
Graham.
You make some very good points and as long as we do any little thing we can make a difference. Up and sharing.
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