Who you are makes a difference

To me.

I've been thinking a lot about the most influential people in my life. People who have had the greatest impact on me. I sat down and made a list. One of them was my fourth grade teacher, Mr. Engleking. Why was he important to me? I had to think for a few minutes about what it really was. And what I realized was this. He always treated everyone in my class, including me, with respect. I never saw or heard him talk down to anyone. He was positive and friendly and somehow portrayed to us that he had HIGH REGARD for each of us. Even though we were sweaty, stinky, emotional little beings, he found a way to affirm in us that our ideas were good and important. That our feelings and thoughts mattered. That what we wanted and needed was important to him. That made me feel safe and valuable and important. So, I asked myself who needs that from me today? Who can I pass that along to? I plan to look for someone today and tomorrow and when the inspiration comes, I promise myself I will act on it.

I can't really find Mr. E to let him know, but there are others who have influenced me and some of them I can easily contact. Today I will send an email to a person in my life who made a difference for me just to thank them and let them know. And as I said I will also find someone that I can make a difference for. I'll let you know what comes of it all. I'd love to hear about someone that has made a difference for you, and how you let them know that. And also about how you purposefully tried to make a difference in someone else's life today.