make a difference in someone's life/make a difference in the world

Everyday I try to start out with a prayer to ask God that I could be a tool in His hand to help others. Joy feels my heart as each day I have an opportunity. Some are more significant than others, but just the same, if I can may someones day brighter, at the end of the day I can say a prayer of gratitude.

Everyday I try to do something. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small task or a large one. It could be complimenting someone who rarely ever receives compliments (as there is always something you can compliment someone on), running an errand, calling a friend, smiling at a stranger, giving money to the poor, donating a toy to an underprivileged child, taking the homeless blankets and on and on. It not only makes me feel good inside, but I know that (even the small things) make a difference. And one of these days, something I do will make a difference in the world and not just in my neighborhood.

I have been wanting to spread the truth about animal abuse. Three weeks ago I posted one from PETA called Why Circus animals attack. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4cdTzCfB_E

As of right now this video has been viewed 4,049 times. It is #46 in the most discussed list for the month in the pets & animals section. People have decided to pass on circuses that use animals and to pass along a link to the video. I couldn’t be prouder or happier if I had made the video myself. This thing is VERY worthy of doing!

That according to the new tennant laws I had to get rid of my birdbath. It’s a lovely simple white concrete birdbath that occupies the tiny square of grass in front of my unit. It’s great because my cats can watch the birdies bathe.

Anyway, I digress… So I called my sister (who gave me the birdbath on a past b-day) and she thought that the non-profit she works at might be able to use it at one of the children’s houses. Cool! If I have to let go of it at least someone else might get some fun out of it. Then it snowballed from there…

I called the property manager to assure her I was getting rid of it and that I was donating it to this non-profit and she asked me if they wanted a ninefoot tall christmas tree already pre-lit. Only used once. So, I hooked her up with my sister’s work #, and voila! They are going to pick it up for the property manager and get it off her hands! It will look beautiful in the lobby of the children’s house. I hope this will make a lot of sick kids happy come holiday season.

It’s amazing how something that at first seemed depressing ended up being so happy. Weird how life works out this way when you least expect it!

When I was down in FL visiting the parental units, my mother told me about this lady in the neighborhood that would carry a plastic grocery bag on her walks. When she came across trash, she would pick it up and store it in the bag to throw away at the end of her walk.

She told my Mom that she started doing it when she had pointed out some trash on the roadside to her young daughter and remarked how awful littering was, and her daughter looked at her and told her to do something about it.

Simple as that. Now other walkers in the area are doing the same thing.

Pretty cool, huh?

So… I get a knock at the door and there is this earnest little highschooler… Long hair, knit cap, big grin… Trying to sell me the local newspaper.

Now normally I would get my news online or on the tv, but I wavered and started thinking about reading the newspaper on the weekend with my coffee. AND he would get points towards a scholarship fund or some mumbo jumbo like that. A youngster trying to better themselves? OMG…

I caved and got 8 weekends to “try it out” and get him credit towards his scholarship thingie. I figure whether it’s really for his education or not… At least he’s out there working. (And SO very polite. THAT is a skill that will last him a lifetime.) Sure worked me over. I swear I am such a softie.

I, of course, will recycle all newspapers I get…