“This is the
beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste
it or use it for good.

What I do
today is very important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When
tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving something in its place I
have traded for it. I want it to be a gain, not a loss – good not evil.
Success, not failure, in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for
it.” – Heartsill Wilson

You might think
the difference you can make is insignificant. When we think about making a
difference we fall for the myth that what we start out doing has to be enormous
to have any effect. I’ve learned it doesn’t. The smallest acts of kindness can
have a huge impact, maybe more than you can imagine.

Here are 10
ways you can make a difference in the world:

1. Start with
yourself

First, make a
positive difference in yourself. This will create an outward butterfly effect.
Think about the things you would like to change about yourself, and then change
them. Create space to bring in more positivity in your life.

2. Be kind to
others

In these modern
times, where we are often extremely busy, people tend to become quite
self-absorbed. But kindness goes a long way. A simple act of kindness can
generate so much positivity, even if you’re not always aware of it.

3. Smile

A simple smile
can really change someone’s day for the better. Smile to the old lady you pass
on the street, to the bus driver, to your co-worker in the break room, to the
kid that always wants to pet your cat. Smiling is not only good for your mental
and physical health, it has also been shown to be contagious.

4. Start to
really listen to the people around you

People crave
attention, because it makes them feel loved. Really listening to them, not just
hearing them but actually understanding what they are saying, can make a huge
difference. Take time to listen to your loved ones, and if the opportunity
presents itself, don’t be afraid to listen to strangers, either.

5. Use your
time wisely

There never
seems to be enough time for everything you need and want to do. Therefore, the
expression work smarter, not harder is definitely one to think about. Find ways
to be more productive when doing the things to need to do. This leaves more
time for you to chase your dreams.

6. Volunteer

Do something
selfless, without expecting anything back. Volunteer at your local animal
shelter, retirement home or homeless shelter. If everyone would volunteer every
once in a while, the world would be a much better place.

7. Find
charities you like and donate

There are many
good causes you can donate to. It doesn’t have to be much; you don’t have to be
a wealthy philanthropist in order to make a change. Find charities that are
close to your heart. Think about wildlife preservation, cancer research, the
Salvation Army, children’s hospitals, etc.

8. Think about
the legacy you want to leave behind

How would you
like people to remember you? For your professional achievements, your
selflessness, your kindness? What about your resilience? When you are
confronted with unforeseen challenges, don’t let it get you down, don’t start
whining. Instead, show your strength and try to find the positive sides of what
is happening to you. In the end, it is all about how you deal with setbacks.

9. Be
passionate

Be passionate
about everything you do! Passion is like a magical ingredient; once you add it
to your meal, even the most bland and boring foods suddenly taste amazing.
Don’t like your job? Then find one that you do like. Life is too short to spend
time doing things you find no pleasure in.

10. Have a
positive attitude

Life can be
very challenging sometimes, and this can make it difficult to stay positive.
However, if you choose to have a positive attitude, you’ll notice that you
become a better you. It may sound strange, but daydreaming can help you with
this. Visualize what you want, and add feeling to those visualizations. This
generates positive energy, which in turn will lead to positive changes.

What will you
do today, that you can look back on to tomorrow, knowing you made a difference?