Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Make a Difference

Uta Hagen: "We must overcome the notion that we must be regular... it robs you of the chance to be extraordinary and leads you to the mediocre."

I belong to the service industry, wherein you must put other first before yourself. For others, this is just a job, but for others it is their passion. You can only last long in the service industry if you have the passion for it.

Service with passion is what teachers (who are still in their profession), priest and doctors (servicing the barrios) called "calling". In my humble opinion, they just wanted to help and make a difference. They are the ones who set their hearts right. In doing so, they touched many people lives and make this world a much better place to live in.

How can we make a difference? In this cynical world we live in there will always be a question of motive. Who can blame them? There are advertisements wherein testimonials from poor people on how this politician helped their lives better by providing water, electricity and housing etc.. They thanked the politician, not the taxpayer. Who in fact paid for it. If you really wanted to help and make a difference, do not aim for making a BIG difference and be recognize by the media for it. You do not need a lot of money or an association to help others. For me, all you need is to set your heart right. There will be people who will take advantage of every situation and will keep you from doing the things to set your heart right and as a human being you will be frustrated at times if not most of the time. Learn from those experiences and continue on moving forward. Always thank God that at least you are in a position to help.

I watched a documentary regarding extraordinary teachers. One of which hikes up the mountain to teach basic math, writing and reading to people who live up high. It is not an ordinary climb, a grueling 8 hours of hiking in a muddy and steep terrain. She is receiving the same pay as the ordinary teachers, no meal allowances, no service vehicle but still manages to put a smile while walking. When asked if she had any regrets, she said none with conviction.

Most of the time little acts of kindness goes a long way. A mere smile can make a difference to another person. A simple pat on the back, a simple idea, a time spent on the less fortunate. One does not need a formal education to understand that. The impact we made based on our action or lack of it determines how we can make a difference.

Let me share you a moving story about making a difference just by paying attention to a lost soul, here is the link
www.makeadifferencemovie.com.

Your thoughts will be very much appreciated.

As Confucius say, "
To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right."



No comments:

Add to Technorati Favorites Add to Technorati Favorites
View My Stats