know that i've made a difference in at least one person's life

even small things may have big effects on one person. i dream of meeting a person and learning that somehow, one time in his or her life, i’ve been there and i took part in something that drove out change, and a positive one. i wanna learn that even anonymously, i made an impact in someone’s life. very, very interesting.

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, ‘Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd. ‘I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about! ten feet from him, He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, ‘Those guys are jerks. ’ They really should get lives. ’ He looked at me and said, ‘Hey thanks!’ There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, ‘Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday! ’ He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors we began to think about college.Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn’t me having to get up there and speak Graduation day, I saw Kyle.

He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, ‘Hey, big guy, you’ll be great! He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. ’ Thanks,’ he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began ‘Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach..but mostly your friends… I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.’ I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met.

He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn’t have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. ‘Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.’ I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it’s depth. Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person’s life. For better or for worse.

Until today, I thought that someone I know could speak their mind to me and feel that it would be in strict confidence. But I got the feeling from them that, dependening on what they say to me, they believed it may not be the case. Even when I say this would never happen.

Kinda sucks a bit. But, I can only do my best.

Rant over…... well not really a rant per se. I blame the drugs!! (antibiotics for this damn chest infection)

This is still here, I think I have now, but then again, one never really does know. Does that matter? No.

This was one of my earliest 43T goals – and one of those vague ones I didn’t have specific steps in mind to accomplish. The newly adopted “Kiva loans” goal is more specific and covers the same ground really – making a difference in someone’s life (whether I know them personally or not). So I’m glad to have adopted this goal as a newcomer to 43T but it’s time now to let it go.

Yeah, I’ve made a difference in Natasja’s life (H)

But I know I’ve made a difference in at least one person’s life. More then one infact. I’m not trying to take credit, but some of them have told me that I’ve made a difference for them. One of them is my best friend and she just brought it up last week. I’m not going to go into detail concerning anything I’ve done to make a difference for someone, because I feel that’s between me and other people involved. But I will say it’s the most amazing feeling in the world, knowing you’ve helped someone! It’s definently something I want to continue to do whenever I get the chance.

Maybe I already have, but chasing this goal more than once can only be a good thing.

I guess this is something like the movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life”!
Would this world be any different if I were never born? Would I leave some sort of legacy behind or proof that I ever existed? I want to discover this.

I’m sure I have done this … I know I have. But this is something I should try all the time .. try to make a difference in one person’s life everyday. It doesn’t have to be major .. I think small events can have big reactions .. Just smiling at someone at a time they need it most may be all that’s needed. So there’s no reason not to try