Making a Difference: A Big One?

"Ever feel like you're just not making a difference? That's me right now. I know I make a difference in the lives of my family....some good, some bad. LOL But I mean making a difference in the world. I have such a HUGE passion for animals, the elderly, children, anyone or anything being mistreated, education, etc. It's like I want to fix them all. I know that's not reasonable, but there's got to be a way I can make a difference.....a big one. I'm adding that to my list of things to get started on this year! My plate is full, no doubt, but it can handle a few more things!"

-- LBB

Ever feel like you're not making a difference in the world - a big difference?  I had to think about this one, because Lori's statement, in the opening quote, gave me pause.  Her desire is, no doubt, laudable, but...damn!  "My plate is full, no doubt, but it can handle a few more things."  I think this is kind of a Chinese Food Syndrome.  I already have a full plate to eat, but I know I'll be hungry in an hour, so I'd better take more; I can do it!  An hour later you're wondering what in God's good name you were thinking as you find yourself kneeling down to pay homage to the Porcelain God of Gluttony.

Definition - My plate is full:  to have a lot of work to do or a lot of problems to deal with.  And yet, we find ourselves with this feeling of just not making a difference.  Of course the logical cure for this full plate is to take on more, right?  But, let's look at it from a different angle - reciprocity.

Reciprocity is best defined in the context of Buddhist karma - good begets good as evil begets evil.  It is a premise that our actions, good or bad, affect the future life of the individual as well as family, friends, and the community.  Taken to the extreme one might assume the old adage that one helps two, and each one of them helps two, and so on.  Or, a butterfly beating its wings in Africa causes a stampede of horses in Arizona.  If this concept is accepted, one can now ask of themselves, "How big a difference are you really making?"  How many people's lives to you affect every day in some positive way?

One person, alone, can make a reasonable difference.  One person surrounded by a large, competent staff of professionals, in control of an even larger bankroll of millions, and with a fairly narrow focus, can probably accomplish close to miracles.  For the majority of us, however, isn't it enough to make a reasonable, meaningful, difference that positively affects someone, each and every waking day?

Is it really necessary for us little folk to make a big difference?  Perhaps it is enough to make many small differences and accomplish a lasting good that will pay forward to have combined great consequences for family, friends, and community?  When we look at our already full plate, how many people have we shown charity to?  How many people have we already helped that will pay it forward?  Have we ensured our children grow up in our footsteps, to continue our work and possibly do even more than we have done?  How about our friends?  Family?  

The small differences for good we make in other's lives can be a legacy we remain ignorant of, and yet these are differences those around us will spread to the four corners of the earth.  Maybe our real issue is, we're the only ones that don't realize how much meaningful work we already do.  Perhaps it is time to stop and recognize what we have already done, instead of thinking we need to do more.  Perhaps it is time to refill our empty bucket so we can finish what is already on our overflowing plate, before we take on the rest of the world,

Looking at the evidence before us, haven't we already made a big difference?  Yeah, I think so.

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Frank Anthony Villari (aka, Pastor Tony)

Pastor Tony is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path."