Where Would the World be Without Me?

I would often wonder at the local election as I cast my ballot: What difference does my one little vote actually matter in this world? Where do I even make a difference?

After I wipe out the toxic thoughts and replace them with positive and productive thoughts about myself, I start to realize I can make a difference in lives and the world I live in in small and huge ways and in some ways others wouldn’t think of.

1. I can love radically in my neighborhood and promote change in my community.

2. I can compliment the lady who looks as if she doesn't get many at the checkout line, which costs me nothing to give, but the benefits may last for a week, possibly a month. I do this often, and it makes me feel so good because I have been that lady.

3. Eye contact to the dirty homeless man on the street, maybe even a smile, perhaps a dollar if driven to. Again I do this often and it feels so good. I have also been the dirty homeless person not all that long ago, and I remembered how wonderful it felt to just be treated like a human being. It cost nothing to the person giving it and meant everything to the person receiving it.

4. I can show patience to the overactive child with ADHD that most might just label a problem child and that I also do.

5. I can stop and grab the item on the shelf for the lady on the motorized scooter.

6. I can let the guy behind me go first at lunch hour traffic, and I also do that. Believe me when I say it does not have to be a grand gesture to make a difference in this world we all share and live in.

Here is a poem that is so true and that I love.

A SMILE by Jez Alborough

Smiling is infectious,

you catch it like the flu,

When someone smiled at me today,

I started smiling too.

I passed around the corner

and someone saw my grin.

When he smiled I realized

I'd passed it on to him.

I thought about that smile,

then I realized its worth.

A single smile, just like mine

could travel round the earth.

So, if you feel a smile begin,

don't leave it undetected.

Let's start an epidemic quick,

and get the world infected!

A small simple act of kindness that I do does matter in this world.

So here is another example: I recently went home to the reservation I grew up on. My reputation there was not a good one for years of living an addicted life, so lots of people’s memories of me are bad, and unfortunately, even when doing good, these bad memories tend to surface. This time, I ran into a lady who had known me all my life, my Dad's too for that matter. She says to me, “I remember when you were a little girl you were so sweet. I remember you would color my pictures and bring me flowers. Oh what a sweet treat. I would wait for you all week.” Here we are 42 years later and that one positive memory of me and my actions is still affecting her, and believe it or not, I believe it made a difference in the world. Even if one person saw what I did for her and followed suit, what a brighter and happier world it would be.

So I ask myself where the world would be without little ole Noblelee?

Well, it would be short one person who fought many trials and tribulations after years of pain and addiction;

one who got clean and started healing to get a job and make a difference in my community;

one who works with other women doing the same as she did;

one who loves and does all she can for elders, children, and even animals;

one who, even when her world is far from perfect, she spreads kindness like it is going out of style;

one who will stop at nothing to make sure the forgotten ones, the lonely ones, and everyone in between knows they are loved and there is hope for them and the generations that follow if we all do our part.

It takes 20 repetitions in the brain to form a neural pathway and just 40 to 50 repetitions to create a habit. How cool of a habit would it be to always be kind and to love and treat people with respect? How many times in a single day can I/we make a difference?

Let's go out of this world and be the light so bright that the world can’t help but see. Oh, what a wonderful world that would be! Thanks for the help, Noblelee.