How you can make a difference
Making a difference begins with you. For you to make a difference in your community and the greater world you first need to give to yourself.
� Make time for yourself �
Sign up for that class you have always wanted to take: yoga,
Aerobics, spinning, art, dance, doing something just for you will bring more joy, calm and peace in your life and you will have more to give to others. When you feel good it rubs off.
�Slow down, take a walk, breathe and notice the beauty around you.
-make a conscious effort to bring more joy into your life -do something nice for you!
� Go on a negativity diet �
Avoid negative people, negative news and TV shows; keep negative comments and gossip to yourself. Focusing on what�s good in the world and your life will create more good. �Write a gratitude list every morning of everything that is good in your life. We all have so much, and it is easy to focus on what we don�t have rather than what we do have. The fact that we have electricity, good health, medical facilities, water, enough food, shelter etc are all things we tend to take for granted, but they are huge gifts to be grateful for.
- smile while you are buying your groceries and be nice to the check out person
-Always say you can, so much is possible if we believe it is.
� Give-
Compliment someone today, bring someone flowers, help someone who needs your help, bring a friend a care package when they are sick (soup, medicine, lemons and honey, magazines), tell your employees how much you value their work.
� De-clutter � get rid of anything you haven�t used in the past year and donate it to your local charity. You will feel renewed energy and the charity will benefit as well.
� Charities
Find an organization you feel passionate about and volunteer your services. Volunteering can come in many forms.
o If you are a marketing specialist, for example, pick a charity you believe in and help raise their profile. If you are a web designer do some design work for a charity that needs a website. Giving of your expertise is a great way to give back and make an impact. Fundraising Institute of New Zealand www.finz.org.nz is a place to start.
o House DVD screening party- organize a house party, invite your friends and colleagues to watch a film that focuses on a charity/issue that you believe in. After the film, facilitate a discussion, ask for donations and send them to the charity.
o Social Networking � promote your favorite charity through your social networking circles (Facebook, Twitter)
Support people and organizations you believe in and are passionate about. There are so many good charities out there, and it�s important that you truly believe in what they are doing. Do a bit of research, and support something that is close to your heart.
I believe that if you can impact even one person positively you are making a huge difference.
