Throughout human history, we have heard, read, and even met people who changed the world, who turned the scales and left a permanent mark.
On one hand, there were heroes, leaders, inventors, artists, inspirers, and many others who positively affected humanity. On the other hand, there were destroyers, criminals, misleaders, and others, those who hurt badly the people of earth. Therefore, regardless of whether the impact made was positive or negative, it lasted and it either led to inspiration or a lesson.
But the remarkable thing is, that we often remember those who made a positive impact, and that is due to our human nature that is directed towards the good. Because we all aim to live happy and in peace.
We are constantly searching for the meaning of our lives mostly when we feel helpless and useless. We are always looking for what gives purpose to our life. Having a better vision for the life we want and we deserve to live, we find ourselves trying to make a change for the better.
Especially in these harsh conditions that Lebanese people are going through, some of us have given up already and some are trying to resist in order to withstand as much as possible until reaching what they are really seeking to have in this country.
For those of you, who are seeing themselves powerless, with no strength, no money, nothing to give, and out of despair they are feeling that God is far away, and they are blaming him as He is watching without moving a finger. I am sure that deep inside, you are still asking yourselves if you will be able to make a positive impact and leave an unchangeable and everlasting beautiful mark in this deformed and ugly situation. I know that you would try to keep doing the right thing when everything is going wrong. Definitely, you wonder if you can become the justice warriors and if you will ever be able to fight against unfairness, inequality, and corruption.
Let me show you what you have done and I will leave you to it, so you can see if you have made already a positive impact or not.
You volunteered: to rescue the victims, to clear out demolished apartments of the elderly, to clean buildings and streets, to give shelter for the homeless, to help people to put their lives back together.
You have donated food, supplies, clothes, medicine, blood, and money.
You gave them your time, you listened to their problems, sorrows and you consoled them.
You offered to lend a hand to those who needed it.
You have provided material and moral support as much as you can!
You used your voice to bring attention to them.
You signed petitions.
You made a song or a painting. You wrote letters and posted them on blogs and social media to show solidarity and express your feelings.
You found out that someone else wants to make things change as much as you do.
You have decided to take initiatives, to collect aids, and coordinate with humanitarian organizations to make a more efficient contribution.
See! you had also created a ripple effect with someone else!
You mentored and provided awareness about the consequences and how to prevent any future harm.
You undertook, to do your duties, and hold responsibility towards the society regardless if others are doing the same or not.
You admitted your mistakes and have forgiven those who hurt you.
You have been responsible!
For this impact to remain, it cannot stay as a responsive action. We always need to make our thoughts and behaviors directed towards others’ well-being, and all valued action will be reciprocated or transferred.
If we feel that we cannot change the situation, we should not give up because we certainly can make a difference through a small act of kindness or just a simple word of support.
Even if, we had to leave a situation or a place, we will still be making a positive impact, because we are still ourselves and we will make a positive impact wherever we go.
So, whoever you are and wherever you are? You did it!!!
You recognized your blessings and you used them to contribute to others.
You brought more joy into the lives of those around you.
You were able to smile because you have drawn many smiles on people’s faces.
The most beautiful thing is that people felt that God is near because they saw Him in you and they felt amazed, even you felt it too.
Joelle M. El Hindy
