Might you have more influence upon the whole of life than you give yourself credit for?

Question

It seems certain questions permeate the minds of many:
"What can I - one single person - do, to influence the world?" and "What more can I do?"

Might you already be doing it? Why must more be done?

So many, in life, are always trying to be something "more" than they already are. Standards are set so high that when they are not reached, an individual can be lead to feel like they're useless. So many look to the future as if it holds all the answers to their hopes and dreams; and will harbor feelings of inadequacy if everything doesn't work out as they "planned."

So I ask... Might it be best to stop trying to figure out where you're going and how you're going to be "more" than you are now, and just enjoy where you're at, and who you are, in the present moment?

Maybe you're influencing this life, on a much grander scale, than you give yourself credit for!

Thoughts...?

Answer 1

Hey there CC,
My oh my, how dear ones like yourself here on Y/A can offer up exactly what I need to hear, when I least expect it, is beyond my understanding! Here I was, pondering if I could be any more of a failure to the world (with my important projects for the world still unfinished and not having $ saved in a time when my family needs me) has left me in frustrated tears this morning, then I read this wonderful question! If my arms could reach you, it would be BEAR HUG! Thank you Thank you! My emotions have really been in swing and this is the nice, Cosmic slap I so needed to
BE HERE NOW.......
Gratitude........in ....the ........Holy .....Instant...
All my Love,
Valerie

Answer 2

Well put, dear friend. This is a great question because if many people just asked this and found the answer, could have avoided tons of disaster and stress they are making for themselves and their loved ones.
Many think that merely a big famous guy can affect other people's lives; whereas, you come across lots of real stories relating how a simple word of kindness, a smile, a short encounter with a stranger, a tap on the shoulder has changed their whole life. Those who persist to influence other people's lives through big endeavors unconsciously are seeking to satisfy their inflated ego. They want to inscribe their names somewhere. Years ago i told one of my professors what i thought about artists: I think some great artists have no physical artworks. Their work of art is their lives and the way they live. The way they live influences other people's lives in a way no other thing can.

Answer 3

Hi CC...

I think most people aren't aware of the impact they have on the people around them. Even the smallest, seemingly insignificant thing can have a significant impact on this world.

Your message made me recall an episode of Touched by an Angel where Monica started harboring bad thoughts after a man flipped her the bird. By the end of the show, her bad mood transferred itself to several other people who continued to spread the negativity to others around them...one of the characters nearly jumped off a bridge as a result.

Sometimes something as simple as a smile for a stranger can make a huge difference on a person's day...and I don't think we have any idea how far our good (and bad) feelings can spread.

I agree with you, the world might be a better place if we all stopped worrying about the future and simply lived AND enjoyed today. You never know when one kind word, one thoughtful gesture, or simply giving another person the opportunity to see someone that is happy can be exactly what another person needs. Did you know that the simple act of posting this question would have the kind of positive impact it had on Valerie C for example??? *smile*

I do know I stress out about doing more with my life...thanks for reminding me that I should focus on what I'm doing now and let God take care of the "more".

Answer 4

What can one person do indeed! We have no knowledge of how far reaching our words, our treatment of others, our small acts of kindness or the reverse really are.

When we choose to watch something happen, when we know it should be different we choose to influence those around us to either do something or not do something. Every choice you make will make a difference.

Can you fathom how your words will affect your children? How about how those words affect their children, etc. Try to fathem how far into the future something you do or don't do today will really travel. Small things can make the most difference, and yet we do not even realize the power these small things can have.

We get caught up in the day to day mundane, it's all about me, and we cannot even see what impact these energies have on the world and on how that energy affects so many others.

We are doing what we are meant to do, whether we realize it or not. Sometimes you might try just sitting back after one of those telling dreams and watch things fall into place. There is nothing you really have to do, it's all laid out for you, so stop trying to "make" it happen. Other times you are called upon to "make" something happen and you will.

Be careful of what energies you put out there and be careful of what energies you take in. Sometimes you just need to feel it and let it go, it will take on the life it is meant to take.

Sorry...I got carried away...

Answer 5

Why does the butterfly effect come to mind? We all influence things, but far more do myriad forces influence us in order that we may influence others, until it becomes an intricate cosmic dance that cannot be mathematically described to completion. Sort of like the weather...so people just look out the window and decide for themselves if it is going to rain or not. Complexity comes back to simplicity with instinctual behavior; perhaps it is too complex to be intellectually understood, but it is easy enough just to accept all the influence streams that may flow from my point of the universe.

Answer 6

All that I can be is not yet known. All that I wanted to be is constantly changing since I change with experience. All that I can be is the best that I can be and that is all that my 'father' expects. I don't need to be anything else. I constantly review myself for qualities that are worthy examples to follow if a child is watching. I make mistakes and forgive myself first before I try even harder. I try not to criticize myself for not getting everything right. I'm not finished yet. It's OK to take my time and learn things the hard way. I'm the one who hurts the most from my mistakes so I learn better from those mistakes that hurt the most. If i hurt someone else with my ignorance, I am responsible for apologies and sincerety. I can't MAKE anyone forgive me but I can try harder to be more careful as I learn.

Answer 7

We all do, immensely more, in a certain, and very 'real', way we are all the 'Creators' of our own 'worlds' ... and you can't have much more 'influence' than that, can you ?

With regard to the 'doing', I am sure that all the busy 'doings' are just utilised to pass the 'time', to keep us 'busy', to generate more 'noise', when we can get beyond all that, there, right there, is the quiet 'Truth' of 'Beingness'.

So yes, CC, we would all benefit greatly from a slight reduction in the 'busyness' of where we think we are 'going', and a bit more relaxing into the joy of where we 'are'.

At this 'point' is exactly 'where' we are 'Being' the most 'Influential' of all. :-)))

I applaud the prodigal Baggins, and will see his rectal digit, and raise it with one more tenet from Crab Air :

Rules are made for the obedience of fools, and the guidance of wise men.

{{{{{Cosmic Influence}}}}}

Answer 8

Nah, I tried the "doing little" approach for a long time, and made no impact. I'm not even sure I made an impression.

When I gave my life to Christ (7 yrs ago) and started following Him, He had me doing lots of things that I would never have done on my own.
All of them much more impactful than anything I ever did as a non-Christian.

Answer 9

No, I do it for relaxing , i'm not a follower of what each and every thing is asserted is actual, i discover it stupid that persons decide others by skill of their sign. character is what's greater significant , there are literally hundreds of people who're astrologically incompatible and characteristic longer relationships than the meant to be well suited.

Answer 10

Well, yes that is absolutely right. Absolutely!
Er - but!
There is a danger here.
Us Hobbits know that being dynamically still is a very difficult trick. True Stillness is not found in stillness: true Stillness is found in movement.
Otherwise, in the words of a somewhat low RAF expression, you're just standing there 'with your thumb up your b*m and your mind in neutral.'
Harrumph! Excuse me. It's just that that is just such a wonderful description of quietism.