Volumes of Joy

Change. It is something that happens to all of us. Sometimes we embrace it like a much needed relief, sometimes we try to reject it like a desease. No matter what we want, it still happens. It will happen quickly or slowly. But it still happens. Often we don't see how some actions reshape another person that happens to enter into our lives. For example a friend of mine has said in passing "I don't drink soda any more." And you know what? I haven't tasted a drop soda since. Just because of the fact that I thought it was a good idea. I have also said that books rework your thoughts. I have read so many books that I cannot tell you what I used to believe because it has changed so much in two years, that I am literally a different person. Even since the beginning of this year my thinking pattern has changed noticeably. People alter. People are modified by other people. A simple action that you perform without a passing thought can reshape someone's whole world. You might have ignored that one lonely little girl and now she hates everyone. Or you could have invested only one conversation in that sad boy in church and shown him that there is a God--a God of love. My actions matter. Your actions bring about influence. Wordless expressions are the tools of great, world-changing, leaders. How so? Your wordless expression--either a simple nod of approval or a sullen silence--can develop another person's whole world. You might have "told" them to do something and it happened to be the biggest life-changing decision of their whole life. Or you "told" them that it was not a wise investment and they missed out on what would have brought an embellishment into their story--their life. So next time you judgmentally speed past that guy holding a sign that says "Need $ anYthing HeLps God Bless", consider stoping and reaching out with love. Next time your head wipers in your ear "just walk past. It won't hurt a fly," don't believe it for a second. Because it's a lie. Live with a purpose--live with the thought "others matter. How can I show this person they matter to me?" and then do so with a joy that speaks volumes. Volumes that tend the change the world.

~TDH