One Thing

If there is one thing I hope to do with my life it would be to help people. There are endless ways to make that happen. I could become a nurse. Maybe I could even become a neurosurgeon and help people with brain injuries. Another way I can help people is by becoming a police officer and helping protect people and maybe even save lives. I could also become a teacher and help shape young minds, and maybe I could even teach children to love one another and never give up on their dreams. Oh! I could also become a business owner and create jobs in this tumultuous economy. Seriously, the possibilities are endless.

Even though all of the above options are great and honorable, one thing I've learned over the years is that I can help people without the status that comes from a job title. You see. I went to college and graduated with a degree in architecture. After being laid off from my architecture job, it felt like many people thought more highly of me when I was working in an architecture firm. A job title does not make one person more valuable than another. I feel that people who are quietly working to make others happy are often overlooked. The one thing we must all keep in mind is a drive to help each other in some way. No matter what our job title may be, big or small, we possess the ability to change lives. Everyone serves a valuable role in life no matter what their job may be.

How often do you experience someone being genuinely kind to you? It could be the grocery store clerk who took extra care putting the items in your bag, or it may be the stranger who smiled at you on a day when you needed it most. Maybe someone even allowed you extra room while driving to switch lanes in front of them. All of those people had you in mind, and they helped you in some of the seemingly smallest ways. We are all capable of doing these small things, but how often do we actually do them? We don't have to get our college degree in law, or even become a surgeon, to play a significant part in life. Every day is an opportunity to make a difference. Start small and grow your desire to help others. Even the tallest trees started from a seed. A little kindness goes a long way.

If I can do one thing today, I hope that maybe I can make someone smile. Maybe I'll even lend an ear to someone who just needs a person to listen to their problems. I may even help make some one's day a little easier by smiling at them, or I could hold a door when another person's hands are full. There are endless opportunities to be kind to others, and all too often we forget to take advantage of them. We may be too preoccupied by our own busy lives, but taking a moment to search for ways to help another person instantly reminds you of life's purpose to help each other. If I can do one thing today, I hope to help make someone else's life slightly better. Maybe I'll even get a smile out of them. We're all capable of doing one thing. What will you do today?

* be a light in someone's life *