Surely many of us have been tested more in the past few years than we ever could have imagined.
Having to readjust or reinvent ourselves has caused many of us to increase our personal strength. And while it has been an impressive achievement, there are times when we must ask ourselves a very important question:
Are we truly pushing ourselves to the limit and making the type of difference we want to make?
Maybe it is fatigue or fear that causes many never to begin the process of putting an idea into action. Procrastination or preoccupation with the unimportant things in life causes us to hold back on getting started.
Or maybe we believe that we’re fortunate to just be “treading water” during a time when even the simple things are more difficult to attain than before.
After all, making a difference is a contact sport.
While making a difference, we battle fatigue. During the course of making a difference, fatigue becomes weaker as we become stronger.
While making a difference, we have the chance to confront fear. And in doing so, we have the chance to harness fear to our advantage. More importantly, our list of fears becomes shorter, as we defeat many of them along the way.
Surely we come across ignorance and intolerance in your quest for making a difference. Let us make it a time to educate.
We will surpass goals others may not have imagined – including ourselves. Let us make it a time to inspire with action and not merely words.
Finally, we have the opportunity to be enriched, by coming into contact with others who are also making a difference. Our reward arrives in the form of personal enrichment.
So while making a difference is a contact sport, filled with bumps and bruises, it is also a sport where we win just by getting into the game.
Here’s to the bumps, bruises and victories we achieve along the way!
Random Moments at Specific Times 
Jeff I think most of us tend to get into our “comfort zone” and not expand out and make a difference as we should. Kudos to you for making a difference!
Maria,
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and for your very kind comment.
Often times I upload a post in order to share a note to myself, with others. I’m constantly reminding myself to exit the comfort zone…
I’ve been reading your posts too (www.formerlyfluffy.com) and have enjoyed watching the impact you have had on others.
Keep up the great work – I know there are many people who are touched by your blog posts!
Thanks again for taking the time to stop by.
Jeff
Jeff!
I am all for that personal enrichment and a greater understanding of the dynamics involved as we inspire others and/or are inspired ourselves by those we come in contact with. Here’s to a stirring of the hearts of those who read this great post. May they recognize their own inner strengths as they strive to make a difference in their own Circle of Influence. Thank you for inspiring me many times over the past couple of years!
Ruth,
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and for the inspiration that YOU have provided to me over the years. I’ve been inspired many times by your journey.
Anyone who cares to go back to my very first posts will see that it was your commitment to walk across America, in support of our returning military heroes, which inspired me to even take up blogging.
I continue to be touched by not only your commitment to others, but also your strength of faith!
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and more importantly, thank you for your friendship!
Jeff
Great post! We all travel in our own personal universe and making a difference one person at a time. I wish more people would take your advice to make a difference because we are not an island, but a people. And yes, Making a Difference is a Contact Sport! Sally
Sally,
Thank you for taking the time to stop by and for providing your comment.
I think that during this recession I have seen more people deciding that they are truly more than what they do – many of us have not had a choice.
I’ve had a chance to visit your blog and look forward to reading your future posts!
Thanks again for stopping by!
Jeff
Hi Jeff, as our personal world around us change on a daily basis, we tend to overlook the individuals who are less fortune. Thank you for reminding us that everyone needs a helping hand sometimes.
Theresa,
Thank you for stopping by and providing your comment! While it’s important to remember that others need our help sometimes, it can also be helpful to remember that when we go the extra mile to make the difference in the lives of others, we benefit as well.
During the past few Saturday mornings my entire family has helped out at the Hamilton Mill UMC Food Pantry. Last weekend approximately 50 families were fed and 3,000 lbs. of food were processed. We walked away tired – yet refreshed.
It was comforting for us to know that we made the difference in the lives of others. They were fed and we were fed as well!
Sometimes even the small actions – a few hours of manual labor, can provide fuel for us and keeps us personally engaged.
Thanks again for stopping by!
Jeff