In my professional life, I have the power to affect lives in all sorts of ways. Last month I promoted someone to their first ever supervisory position. I have affected her life, because now she is really starting her "career". This is the first step. I remember my first management position and how much I learned from it. I look back now and how much I have grown since that first position and I know that I have affected this person's life greatly (and she is doing fantastic, by the way!). Last month, I hired two new employees. One of them had been looking for work for nearly six months since being laid off at her last job. When I called to offer her the position, she almost cried on the phone she was so excited. I affected her life by bringing her hope... and she is doing fantastic, by the way! Next week, I am going to have to let someone go. It is not going to be easy, we are eliminating a position, and I am going to offer another position, but I feel fairly certain that the cut in pay is not going to be something that works, and so I am going to affect yet another life (and unfortunately not in such a good way). And I am just one person.
Last month, I donated money for Haiti relief. It wasn't a lot, but it was something, and I know that it is going to make a difference in someone's life. Last month, millions of people donated to the Haiti relief effort, all in their own small way... and as a collective whole, we have made a difference in someone's life. And we are just one community.
I have a friend who is currently going through the process of adopting not one, but most like two, children. Children who are in our foster system and so desperately need a home. And those people are going to affect the lives of so many with their decision. From the children they adopt, to the people in the community who are inspired by their giving nature, to their children's future children. And they are just one family.
In the spirit of Valentine's Day, the day of love, I want you to ask yourself, what have you done, as ONE PERSON, to affect someone else recently. Do you realize the power you possess within your self to affect others? If so, how are you using it? Use your time on this earth to make a difference, to affect the lives of others, to affect your own life. It is, after all, your life to live.
