On impact

Impact might just be my favourite word. Ask those who know me well and they most likely would agree with a cheeky little smile or an eye roll. Impact, for our purposes, is to have a strong effect on someone or something. I long and ache to have a positive impact in this world.

Throughout my many years…I’ve found one of the simplest ways to have a positive impact is to leave things better than you found them. I was lucky enough to learn this when I was even younger than I am now, and it is something I desperately want to pass on to future generations. 

One summer, I had a camp leader share how after he has washed and dried his hands, he will use the paper towel to give the bathroom counter a little wipe. It was a simple way to leave that space better than when he found it. It didn’t take a lot of effort, but it had impact. 

Of course, leaving a space better than you found it will often take more effort than a simple wipe of a counter. It will often cost us something. And you might not see the impact right away. But imagine if we all lived our lives this way. What would the world look like? I want to live in this world, where we are all striving to leave spaces better.

So, whoever is reading this, I invite you to join the team, and ask yourself “how might I leave this place better than when I found it?” 

Every place, person, job, fill-in the blank you encounter, aim to leave it better than you found it. 

Ask it often. Be bold. Be brave. And remain hopeful. 

If you live by this simple motto you will be amazed at what is created around and through you.