Do I make a difference?
“Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference has never tried to fall asleep with a mosquito in the room.”
Christine Todd Whitman
Does anyone notice?
I was at a party the other night (very occasionally I go out!)
Someone said how they followed one of my reels about slicing cabbage up in bulk and using it over a few days, storing it in a plastic bag in the fridge. It makes for quick and easy lunches. And they did this.
‘Oh’. I said. ‘You watched that?’
‘And you did it?’
‘And it made a difference to your week?’
‘Yes’ - they replied - ‘I love your posts!’
Two days later I made a comment on a feed on social media. They replied ‘I love seeing your posts - they always make a difference’.
Well.
What the hell. I thought no one was paying attention. Not that I don’t have good stuff to say, just that social media is full of amazing people doing amazing things.
And I am like the smallest fry.
Small, but making a difference
Making a difference
We often believe that we don’t (or can’t) make a difference with what we do.
And yet, many of us are driven by this desire to make a difference. The people I have been interviewing recently for the Sense of Hope podcast are driven by personal experiences to make a difference.
But it can be a lonely and challenging experience.
There is often a lot of work (it may seem like insurmountable) with moderate rewards.
But consider this…
You may have heard this story - it’s a good one to consider if you feel you aren’t making a difference in the world:
“One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?” The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.” “Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…” I made a difference for that one.”
We may never know
In truth - we may never know the difference we make to someone.
With a kind word.
A bit of positive feedback.
A compliment.
A smile
Or a reel on how to make easy lunches with some shredded cabbage.
Meeting people who are making a difference
If you want to hear two people making a difference (and more to come!) Head to the Sense of Hope Podcast and listen to the story of Anne - who after experiencing despair and anger has made a huge difference to people living in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria and Gaza.
And Zoe, a doctor who experienced a stroke at the age of 42 and is now making a difference to people with physical health challenges with her business Happy Healthy Body.
And if you want to hear an interview with myself and Jacqui O’Connor from Heart Place Hospital - who is making a huge difference for carers in this world - click below to hear what led me on this journey to do things differently in the mental health & well-being space.
Don’t underestimate the difference you can make!
Helen is a registered nurse and life coach, specialising in mental health from a holistic perspective. She is passionate about supporting people to have optimal mental health and well-being.
Based in New Zealand, Helen is available for talks, education sessions and online assessments.
Get in touch with Helen here
Purchase the Mini Guide to Mental Well-being here
Do her online course in Changing Lives here
If you would like some help recovering from a difficult time in your life - please get in contact with me!
P.S. If you want to buy me a coffee to let me know I’m making a difference - you can do so here!