Friday, January 11, 2013

UBC Day 11 - Making an Impact

Day 11 of the Ultimate Blogging Challenge

Today I came across this topic posted at JDHouse Speaks and I thought it would be an interesting topic to blog about.

About 12 years ago I enrolled in a "Life" course at work. It was one of the best courses I ever did.

It was nothing to do with work but more about what one wanted to achieve in life or the way one wanted to live life, your major life aspirations, big dreams.

The first thing Julie (the facilitator) asked us to write down was one thing that we really wanted to do but hadn't done yet and what held us back from doing it.

I wrote "sponsor a child". My main reason for not doing it was fear - what if I lost my job and couldn't help. This was a big commitment and I didn't want to let down a child.

Julie asked me a very simple question - "Can you help now?"  "Yes I can" was my answer.

"Then do it" she said to me. "Never mind about the future", that will take care of itself. If you can help now, then do it".

I went back to work at the end of the course, rang World Vision and sponsored a child. I've never looked back. Each other year I sponsor a child. In all I have sponsored 9 children. Currently I sponsor 5 and I am also a UNICEF global parent.

My children are so beautiful. They ask nothing of you and they send so much love. Over the years I have sponsored children from the Honduras, Tanzania, Bangladesh and Cambodia. Currently I sponsor 2 from Cambodia, 2 from Tanzania and 1 from Bangladesh. This is the year to add one more to my list. I would like to sponsor a child from India.

That day and Julie's words changed my life. Sponsoring these children gives some meaning to my life and also great joy.

Someday I would like to work in the humanitarian aid arena. An awesome dream would be to work for the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme). If that dream comes true, I will be absolutely thrilled to bits. If it doesn't it's still a nice dream.

Or perhaps I will start my own organisation that provides humanitarian aid! But I will need to win the Lotto to do that!

I truly believe that working in this arena is my life's work and I know that someday I will work in it. Only the Lord knows how and when.


I believe there's a calling for all of us. I know that every human being has value and purpose. The real work of our lives is to become aware. And awakened. To answer the call. 
~ Oprah Winfrey


pictures on my fridge

Has someone in your life made a significant impact on you that perhaps changed the course of your life? Please share.

Wish you an inspiring day.

Warm Regards
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18 comments:

  1. Hats off Lady! Respect. Keep up the good work.

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    1. Thanks Janu for your very kind comment and for dropping by.

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  2. Thank you for sharing this aspect of you, Suzy. I'm very inspired! ♥♥♥

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    1. Thanks Corinne. You are an inspiration too.

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  3. Suzy, I was going to say I can't think of anyone who's had that kind of impact and that's true, kind of - I'm aware that at least several times a week I have a conversation or read something that makes me take a slight detour - and I love it. I notice that I often notice ;) this is a significant life change but honestly none comes to mind right now. Thanks for your sharing your moment though - and she was right, now is all we have :)

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    1. Thanks so much for visiting. Often our inspiration comes from the little things. I also believe when they resonate with us or move us in a direction, they are messages or answers from above.

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  4. Suzy, Thank you for posting such a lovely and touching story. You have reached out to children, giving your love and support. Your children know they are special. I love the quote you included. "Can you help now?...Then just do it." I plan to post on my desk. - Blessings, Maggie

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    1. Thanks Maggie. I'm glad you liked it. Blessings to you too. thanks so much for visiting.

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  5. Yes, indeed Suzy. That's the way it works. Inspiring.

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  6. you never know when someone is going to say something that will touch our lives forever. How awesome that Julie said "Can you help now?" What a life changer for you and the kids. Love it.

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    1. Thanks Denys. Yes, the key word "now" - that just brought it all into perspective for me. Thanks for visiting.

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  7. When I read your question at the end of your post, I immediately thought of one of my high school teachers. Decades after high school, I wrote to her to tell her what she had meant to me, how she had probably saved my life. Then last year, I received a letter from her daughter telling me that her mom had died, and in going through her things, she found the letter I had written. It meant a lot not only to my former teacher, but also to her daughter, to know what an impact her mother had in my life.

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    1. And no doubt your action made an impact on their lives too. The little things in life mean the most - something we often forget. Thanks for sharing Galen.

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  8. Good for you, Suzy, for knowing what you wanted to do and doing it. And good for Julie for helping you see the way. As for people with a significant impact in my life, I don't know that there's anyone--other than my mom--with such an obvious impact, but I believe that everyone in our lives plays a part in making us who we are. Maybe in big ways and maybe in small, but they all matter.

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    1. You are so right Cheri, everyone who crosses our path impacts us in big and little ways.

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  9. Isn't it amazing how one small decision, acted upon, can change not only our own life but so many others as well? Kudos to the facilitator for providing you with the feedback that would move you forward and to you for taking the action. All of those lives changed because you did what you could with what you had where you were. So important. Enjoyed your post.

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    1. Thanks Kathi. Yes, big big thanks to Julie - she was so inspiring that day. Thanks so much for visiting.

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