Making a Difference

Today I was blessed with a reassurance that I didn't even know I needed. Two things happened which enabled this assurance to penetrate my heart and bring peace to my soul.

First, someone in church shared that they had come home from their mission early due to health problems. I did too, and felt that I should talk to her after the class was over and just let her know that I could sympathize with how hard that can be. Turns out she is dealing with the same health problems that caused me to come home, and I was able to share my thoughts with her, both about coming home and how to approach her treatment options. (Those feisty thyroids, I tell ya what!) She seemed to appreciate it.

Then, I ended up talking with another friend and said something I've learned recently that's helped my perspective become healthier. This is what I shared:

I used to think that I consistently fell short and Heavenly Father was somehow disappointed in me, like He was standing by to point out my flaws and reprimand me. But I've realized I was wrong. Teaching this year, I saw a few kids who wanted to earn high (or perfect) scores on their assignments become super upset when they missed one, or two, or three, or ten, questions. Some would cry, some would argue with me, some would stop trying for the rest of the class period. And as the teacher, I was thinking, "It's ok that you made mistakes! You're in school to learn, and you're not going to get everything right all the time. I am SO proud of you for your efforts! Look at what you did do well at, and give yourself some credit for it! Allow yourself some room for learning. Forgive yourself, and we'll try again. I'm here to help you become more successful, and now we know what areas to pin-point so you can work towards that." As this happened throughout the school year, I began to connect that Heavenly Father probably has more of that sort of perspective regarding us, His children. He's probably much more interested in encouraging us to grow than in hitting us over the head for something that He knows we are already working on overcoming. He's on our side. He wants to cheer for the fact that we try, even if we end up stumbling, falling, or failing along the way. We're here to learn, anyhow.

I didn't know that my friend was struggling with a bit of the perspective I'd had before teaching this year. The ideas I expressed ended up affecting her for the better. Again, my way of approaching an issue ended up helping another human being.

So what exactly was I reassured of today? This: That I have something unique, needed, and powerful to offer. There are people who need what I have been through, what I have learned, and how I see things. I make a difference. It may be in unexpected ways, and it may not shake the earth, but my contribution to the world and the people around me matters. And this is my message for you, tonight:

So does yours.

We need each other. We can help one another. And with His guiding hand, we will.


Our Deepest Fear
by Marianne Williamson from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles


Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.