Are you making a difference – or just taking up space?

The subject of making a difference has been popping up a lot lately – from the global ‘Occupy’ movement to local chats over coffee.  There seems to be a sense in some people that because they are not involved in some major cause, they don't really make much difference in any significant way.  So the question this week is “How can an ordinary person change the world?”

“Making a difference” is very much a contextual statement.  Eileen Caddy once wrote “that every grain of sand on the beach makes a difference and that every flower in the field has its place”.  But frankly that statement never did much for me personally.  A grain of sand doesn't make any difference – unless it’s the one in your eye!  A flower in the field doesn't make any difference – unless it’s the one you give your lover!  But they’re both the exceptions – the one in a million that stands out from the rest.  So I guess that all the other grains and all the other flowers are just taking up space? 

Perhaps it’s the difference that it makes to someone specific that counts?  There is probably not much doubt that you make a difference to your parents or to your children, simply because you are there – taking up space.  Personally, I never found much fulfilment in that realisation either.  Families just kind of ‘happen’ – with or without your intention to make a difference in the world.  Don't get me wrong here – it's great to feel appreciated – but being part of a family is dead centre ordinary.  Shouldn't making a difference involve some kind of noble quest?

I suspect that for most human beings a sense of making a difference needs to come from more than simply existing.  It seems to be our genes to want to make the world somehow better for our having passed through it.  And there seems to be so many people in the world who accomplished such big things – Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Anita Roddick or Nelson Mandela for instance – what can I possibly contribute compared to them?

 

It seems to me that those people didn't spend much time sitting around thinking about making a difference.  It seems to me that they were all busy being themselves – outrageously!

It seems to me that the difference between taking up space and making a difference in the world is simply giving full expression to who you are, rather than hiding away in comfortable, familiar places.  When was the last time you expressed yourself outrageously?  It's not about joining a protest movement, unless that is a true expression of who you are.  I agree with the sentiment behind the ‘Occupy’ movement – I think it identifies a symptom of what is seriously wrong with the state of today's world.  But the movement seems to rely a lot on the notion that taking up space makes a difference.   In New York they have been moved on with the statement “Now they will have to fill the space with the power of their argument.”  And it’s true!  Here’s hoping they find a clear collective voice for positive change – not simply complaining about the bad guys in powerful positions.  But hey, it’s a good start to a collective voice that could just trigger a general shift of consciousness.

According to Wikipedia, as of 16 February 2011, there were over 156 million public blogs in existence.  Internet statistics show that there were 2,095,006,005 internet users as of 31 March 2011.  That's about one blog for every 13 people on the planet with internet access!  That means either that there are a few people who do an awful lot of reading or a lot of people who do a little bit of reading – or a lot of blogs that go unread!  I suspect that what it really shows is that people are demonstrating a need to express themselves that is far greater than their need to read what others say – and that is a truly wonderful and evolutionary thing.  It's only through expression that one can get useful feedback that can ground one’s ideas in what is now a global reality.  As citizens of the planet we now have easily available technology to do that.

So, if you want to make a difference – to move from ordinary to extraordinary – don't just take up space – speak up.  Starting a blog is the easiest way to add your thoughts to the growing global consciousness.  And if more than 13 people read it you're making an above average difference!  And since you are almost certainly within the 20% of the population at the leading edge of consciousness evolution on the planet, that leaves 80% of the population who need to hear whatever you have to say about life – whatever is real for you.  Quote other people if they can articulate your thoughts better than you, but only quote what is a genuine expression of yourself – and add your own comments to it.   Leave comments on other’s blogs – that makes a difference.  Together we can begin to hear what our own collective voice is saying to us.

Certainly Steve Jobs did more than write a blog.  He expressed himself outrageously in words, he got lots of feedback, and more than a few followers to help him express himself outrageously in deeds that changed our world.  And so did Richard, and Anita, and Nelson and…

The only difference anyone can make in the world is the unselfish sharing of themselves – please give generously!

Your own VitallyMe Personal Development Guide will highlight the qualities that are uniquely and genuinely yours – the qualities you probably take for granted – the same qualities that really make a difference in the world!