I MADE A DIFFERENCE by Jim Martin/euronitram54@gmail.com

 
Sunday, March 7, 2010
I MADE A DIFFERENCE by Jim Martin/euronitram54@gmail.com
  Why are you here? That is a question that sooner or later a person will look in the mirror and ask themselves. When that time comes, and you actually find the answer in your heart, your life becomes more complete. I worked with a man many years ago, who was extremely successful and happens to be a Billionaire today, who used to say that he only wanted on his tombstone his name and the inscription--"I made a Difference". He had figured out why he was here and how he could use his God given talents to help others to better themselves in life.
  When you look in a mirror today, you may be a executive in control of thousands of careers, or an employee working for a large/small Corporation---maybe self employed--a Government (State or Federal) employee--or one of many thousands of different Professions. It doesn't matter. What matters most is that you are in contact with people daily on a personal and Professional basis by Phone--mail--email--face to face--and with people you know well and others you just met. You can be one of two types of people that others have opinions of. You can be a person that people like to see coming---or one that people like to see leaving. Usually the people that have figured out "why they are here" are the ones that people like to see coming !
  The people who have it all together, and know their destiny and function in life, have a goal for you in that encounter for the day. They want to leave you better off than when they said hi for the first time or hi to a good friend/office worker that they see everyday . If they are meeting you for the first time, their feeling is genuine when they "smile" and give you a "firm" handshake--and say, "it's nice to meet you" ! But , they don't stop there. If there is time for small talk--they will find something positive to say about your family or what you do for a living. They will leave you with a smile, genuinely happy to have met you, and something that reminded you that your life is special ! Maybe they were impressed with what your job is or the fact that your children have accomplished something special---whatever. They will "find" something in that conversation that focuses on "you" and your family---which will hopefully help set you on a course of a better life.
  If they are seeing you in the office on an everyday basis or just seeing you as a good friend once a week, they will look for something in your life that is going well and focus on that . They will bring up that positives rule in life and they are making an effort to remind you how fortunate you are in so many areas. Of course "everyone" has problems or parts of their present/or past life they want to change. Without valleys --there would be no mountains---how would you tell the difference? They just want to help you have a better day/better life and to help you concentrate on "why you are here" !
  A typical person who has not figured that out, may be so involved in his/her job--so involved in the stress of being a Mother/Father to their children(and all their growing up problems) that they have not stopped long enough to ask the question--"why am I here"?
  I have heard many people just saying--"I just want to be happy" ! It's like the man who had a huge rambling farm and wanted to sell it. He called the Real Estate Agency and gave them the listing. The next morning, it appeared in the paper with a "Beautiful" picture ! It read, 110 acres of prime farm land with beautiful rolling hills and 30 huge shady oak trees--a white fence covering all of the rolling hills property, an 8 acre pristine/clear water lake surrounded by willow trees and stocked with catfish, a large newly built and freshly painted red barn with 7 horses and 40 head of cattle and a beautiful 4,000 square foot ranch house with a 8 foot wide front porch with ceiling fans and white rocking chairs ! After reading this, he immediately called his agent and told him to take it off the market ! He said , "I've been looking for a place like this ALL my life" ! Maybe if a person who knows WHY he is here--could describe what you really have in life--it just might wake you up ?
  I believe true happiness comes from "doing for others" more so than for yourself ! It is a small thing but something I have done for years is to walk up to a soldier/policeman/policewoman/fireman --- shake their hand and "Genuinely thank them for their service"! The look on their face tells it all.
  We are here to help others to cope with the trials and tribulations of everyday life and realize why they are here.  We are here---NOT just to exist--but to embrace life and appreciate every birthday you have whether it is your 21st or your 81st.Because as long as you are celebrating birthdays--you are not finished. You can be one of those that people like to see coming and don't like to see leaving --- knowing in your heart that "You have made a difference" !

By Jim Martin Memphis TN