Today is National Be the Impact Day. This is a day for you to decide how you will make a difference in the lives of those around you and in your communities. There’s no impact that is too small. What are you doing to be the difference in your community?
How to be Impactful
I know so many struggle with how to be the difference. Should you do big gestures or small? What if your impact is too small? For instance, there are people who make sure that the elderly in their communities have their basic needs. Things like grocery shopping, taking them to their appointments, or doing medicine runs. These seem like small gestures, but the impact is huge. In this example there are a lot of elderly people who lack friendship and companionship. For instance, my own grandmother doesn’t live in my state. So, between my mom and I we try to make sure she has things that she needs. Not everyone has that. A senior in that neighborhood now has what they need and will not forget it.
More Examples of Impact
Think about a single mom that lives near you. You can take groceries or a grocery store gift card and gift it to her. That small gesture could be the difference of food to no food. When my mom and I lived in a homeless shelter I always remembered gestures of help to my mother. She was working hard walking us to the sitter, walking to work, and back. This was way before Uber and Lyft. I remember people offering things like rides when it rained or snowed or groceries, and more. These also help the kids of those single moms know that good people in this world.
Donations and Vetting Sources
Even monetary donations towards an impact that you feel strongly about is a way to be impactful. A small donation is never small because often it goes into a pot to do more. Be clear to vet the sources. Don’t let your money go to waste with organizations that are known to steal money or not use the money appropriately. Vet all organizations before giving. Once you give I tell myself that I gave from a willing and open heart and pray whomever the donation touches it will be a blessing.
Big Give
The Big Give is next month. There are so many people who need the help. Donate to kids to get Christmas, groceries for Veterans, consider paying the co-pays of those who need help with therapy. During the Big Give you will see nonprofits come together to get the biggest shift in support. You don’t have to have a lot of money to make an impact in this world either.
Community Treatment
One of the things that I think we need to do more of is to be kind. If you drive, you know the amount of car accidents and road rage that takes place. We are all in community with one another. Where is the kindness? It rarely exists. Everyone is about themselves. No smiles, no hellos, just phones and blank stares. With all the impactful things that we do kindness should be apart of our normal healthy living.
Here are other ways to be impactful:
- Donate blood
- Do a clean up on your streets
- Attend community meetings and participate in activities
- Shop local
- Recycle
- Donate new or gently used clothes to those in need
I hope that today and every day that you take the time to do more for others around you. There are more to life than being rude to others. Let’s find ways to increase kindness and be a blessing to others at the same time.
