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“hand me my notepad…I thought up another way to change the world”
By Stephanie | July 30, 2009
Today, like every day, I found myself contemplating how I can change the world.
I think about it often – how life just isn’t fair, how people are hurting and hungry and sick.
I have this notepad where I write down all the little things that I can do to make the world a better place, both locally and globally…and I carry it around with me almost all day long.
My 2-year-old is used to this. She’ll often say, “here’s your nurse pad, mommy” (She means “note pad,” of course…but, for some reason, she always calls it a “nurse pad“).
I always tell her that I’m writing down ways to help all the kids in the world that don’t have clothes or food or mommies and daddies. And I can tell she’s starting to pick up on that message. She scampers over to me with one of her toys or books at least once a week and says, “this is for the other kids.” It’s the sweetest thing.
Sometimes, I get discouraged. I think to myself, “I could be the president of a non-profit. I could be in Africa or India or South America. I could be speaking about poverty and disease prevention…“
But, instead, I’m here.
Making smiliey faces for lunch:
Creating roads out of blocks:
Watching my two girls become the very best of friends:
And then I think: I AM changing the world. More importantly, I’m helping to create world-changers. I can see it when I look in their sweet faces, when my 2-year-old shares her things with “the other kids,” when my baby smiles.
Maybe one day, I’ll travel the country with my family with the sole purpose of helping others. Or, I’ll get that PhD that I’ve always dreamed about. Or, I’ll become a billionaire and create innovative solutions to pressing global problems.
But today?
Today, I’ll add to my list of world-changing ideas on my “nurse pad”:
- Send thank you note to so-and-so.
- Make dinner for ______.
- Remember _______’s birthday.
- Write to the little boy that we sponsor through World Vision.
- Pray.
Topics: About Me, changing the world | 19 Comments »
July 31st, 2009 at 7:33 am
No wonder we connect, I am totally the same way. I was just thinking about ways bloggers could make a difference. Like walks/marathons for a cause or causes… or even some kind of fundraiser/event during blogher. I like the way you think, feel, and live!
Nell
July 31st, 2009 at 8:32 am
I think you are wonderful and changing the world just by thinking about how you can help. Not enough people care.
July 31st, 2009 at 8:59 am
I think you have helped make my world better. I love the informational posts. I love your inspirational point of view. On another level, I won a giveaway with you….and free products are SO helpful in our house because our financial situation. I don’t know if I am considered local or global, but you have changed my life by being so active on your blog and being in my life this way.
Plus, showing your girls this way of thinking will be a change in the world that will last long after you and I are gone…something we need….positive thoughts and energy…..a great change for many generations. Thanks for all you do.
July 31st, 2009 at 10:46 am
I sometimes feel so inadequate and like I should be doing more for my community and the world but when I stop and look at my children I know that the best thing I can do for my community right now is teach these two how to care about others, how to see needs and do what they can to meet those needs, how to appreciate what they have, how to be a friend, how to do their best… and then I might still feel a bit overwhelmed and inadequate but at least I remember that I am doing exactly what I should be doing right now.
Thank you for this post, it is the reminder I needed today.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:01 am
Beautiful post! I think as mothers sometimes we forget that we really are changing the world each and every day. The best thing we can do is pass these things on to our children – small things like smiley faces for lunch really do make a difference! Thanks for the positive thoughts.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:43 am
you are so right…i find myself feeling the same way most days – thinking that i need to do more…but being a mom is sometimes the most important job!
July 31st, 2009 at 12:51 pm
That was so well written, thanks so much! I’ve felt the same way so often, and then when you wrote,
“I’m helping to create world-changers”,
it truly struck a chord with me. I do see my kids becoming great citizens of this world, and in a way, they inspire me to make better choices that affect others, too. You reminded me of that, and that Moms all over really can influence so much of our world in that way. Now I’m off to make dinner!
July 31st, 2009 at 12:59 pm
You are definitely raising little world changers. I love that part of my job too!!
Very well said!
July 31st, 2009 at 1:54 pm
How timely…I’m reading Gifted Hands, The Ben Carson Story. I’m at the point where he is realizing the gift God has given him.
If we use our God-given gifts…then we are changing the world! (albeit not always in the large leaps & bounds we desire)
At this point I’m gathering up our old winter coats for others who will need them this winter…it’s small, but something!
July 31st, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Very sweet post. It’s good to be reminded of this.
July 31st, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I am right there with you! I often think that I need to help others more and be more charitable. Charity is Love! This is what the world is missing! RIGHT? I often think that I need to help the hungry, cloth the naked, help the helpless. Then at the end of the day sometimes I feel discouraged because I didn’t do these things…then the small whisper of the spirit says, “Stop, you HAVE feed the hungry (your children), clothed the naked (your children) and helped to teach, love and gratitude and everything else these special spirits needed THIS day!” As I look at my little ones playing…they don’t have a worry in their heart! They are just playing contently! This is the way it should be. I am doing my part NOW and maybe someday I can do more!
July 31st, 2009 at 4:24 pm
There’s a time and a place for everything, right? And I think the work of a mother means more than we let on sometimes.
July 31st, 2009 at 9:59 pm
And you’re changing the world by reminding the rest of us how we can contribute too, even if it’s just with how we raise our little ones.
Thanks! =)
August 1st, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Those world changing ideas you listed are some of the best. More people should be encouraged to start changing the world from exactly where they are…where God has intentionally placed them.
August 2nd, 2009 at 3:02 pm
You are a world changer by teaching your kids how to love and care for others! I once heard someone say, “I will know I have made a difference in this world when I see how my grandchildren turn out.” It is all dependent upon the person/child I suppose, but that statement has stuck with me for years. Sharing your dreams, hopes, prayers, and blogging about it is encouraging to others! Keep doing what you are doing!
August 2nd, 2009 at 9:48 pm
You are certainly changing the world with your blog. Do you really not realize how insightful your posts always are? How you make the rest of us think. How you are such a wonderful role model for all of us mommies. Posting the things that you do is helping the rest of us make the world a better place too because you are affecting us and in turn, our little ones too. Keep up the good work, and don’t be so hard on yourself.
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:05 am
It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily grind that I applaud you for even THINKING about the worldly things you could be doing. I feel like all I think about is laundry, the last time the baby’s been changed and what I’m going to make for dinner.
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:58 am
These are one of the reasons I adore you!
You are a great woman.
Thanks for allowing us to share your life, and the life of your beautiful family.
August 5th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I just LOVE you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!