What You Do Makes A Difference

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decidewhat kind of difference you want to make.”Jane Goodall

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When I was a kid my family used to take inner tubes and float down calm sections of the Kings River in Central California.  We beat the summer heat while managing to exert very little effort; we just picked up our feet and let the river carry us wherever it was heading downstream.

Life was comfortable and easy.

In the same way, there are days when you can show up at home or work and decide to go with the current.  You can pick up your feet and let the flow of the day carry you wherever it goes.

Or you can be intentional. You can use a paddle and direct yourself to different places.

You can make decisions about where to invest your time and where to focus your attention.  Doing so is the equivalent of paddling a boat upstream; it will always require tremendous effort.

Are you up for it? 

Even if you're not embarking on a Lewis & Clark cross-country expedition, are you prepared to do more than pick up your feet and float along?  Are you ready to be fully engaged?

Maybe we can all start small.

Set down the phone when there are people in the room.

Don't text when it's time to drive.

Don't read when it's time to eat.

Don't think of your reply when it's time to listen.

Look people in the eye while they talk to you.

Smile.

Share.

Engage in the group discussion.

Ask follow-up questions.

Offer to help.

Wave to a neighbor.

Call a relative.

Unplug when it's time to rest.

What you do makes a difference, so do something intentional.

Don't pick up your feet and float downstream today.