I Believe in Changing Lives

I find myself very fortunate to own a sense of security in the world, a sense of place. I know why I am here, and I know that I can change the world around me. What must it be like to feel as a wanderer, a vagabond trudging through life without a role specifically for them to fill; to completely underestimate their potential for impacting the people around them? This I believe—that as human beings, we are all separate entities that could live completely detached lives and yet we choose to connect, to bond, and to affect one another. Furthermore, I believe we have much more impact than we ever realize. An unknown person once said “many people will walk in and out of your life, but a true friend will leave footprints in your heart.” I agree that as a general rule, only those we allow ourselves to become intimately connected to, heart and soul, will mold our character significantly; however, I also believe that everyone around us will in some way affect our paths in life. A taxi driver that decides to ignore me and keep driving, causing me to catch the next instead, may have changed my direction entirely without even realizing it. So the question then if we know we all have an influence on one another, is whether that influence is going to be positive or negative, large or small. In realizing the effect others we have on one another, we must also acknowledge the footprints we are leaving in others’ lives. When we see a stranger, we choose whether to pass by without so much as a glance or to smile and greet them warmly, as if they are the friend we simply haven’t met yet. Their response isn’t something to expect; we give respect without anticipating it in return. This is the way to impact those around us for the better, for few can perceive anyone else’s thoughts, but we are able to offer what cheer we have regardless. I believe each choice affects people around us, whether we see it or not, and I would rather live knowing I’ve done my part to brighten their day.