The beginning...

Every story has a beginning.
This is the beginning of the story of how a 19-year-old girl tried to change the world through words.

I have created this in hopes of sharing the wisdom I have gained through-out my own life with you and ask that you please set all biases aside - including my age. I may be young but I have realized much more than many who are three times my age. If you will give me a chance and read what I have to say, I believe you will see this for yourself.

Our world is changing - for the better or worse is up to us to decide. Every second of your life is another opportunity to change the world. Now, this is where it seems to get so complicated to so many people. When people hear "change the world," they associate that with quitting their job to fly to Africa and care for starving children or donating every penny to their name to charity or standing up in front of a crowd and leading a revolution. While all of those things would change the world, you don't have to do something that big to make a difference.

When I was little, my great-grandfather would always walk around looking at the ground in hopes of finding spare change. There were several occasions where he actually got out of his car at a stoplight to pick up a penny on the curb. When I asked him why he did this, he told me "Every penny counts." As I've grown older, I've realized how much that simple phrase can plug in to our everyday lives. Every bit of change - be it pennies or actions - counts. You don't have to be the President to change this country. You don't have to be God to save the world. Too many people believe bigger is better and forget that the little things can be just as good.

So, to make it a bit clearer, let me share with you a few ways you can change the world every single day of your life:
- Tell a stranger to never give up and that things will get better.
- Donate your old clothes to the Salvation Army.
- Take your leftovers from that big Thanksgiving Dinner to your local soup kitchen.
- Start collecting those free soaps and shampoos from the hotels you stay at and donate them to homeless shelters.
- Tell your children you love them and that - no matter what - you will always be there for them, will always be proud of them, and will always accept them.
- Spend one weekend out of the month volunteering your time at a local dog shelter, homeless shelter, Madonna House, or soup kitchen.

All of those things and so many more WILL change the world. Plus, the payoff will be more than any bonus, any promotion, and/or any present you have ever acquired in your lifetime. These actions will not pay off to your pocket, they will pay off to your soul. Nothing in this universe can ever compare to that - trust me.

So, here is one of MY many ways of changing the world. If this inspires you to create your own blog to help the world, then feel free to do so. I am not doing this for recognition - I am doing it to help others. The more voices that join me - however you decide to share your voice - empowers me and the rest of the world and makes that much greater difference in the world.

For every action there is a reaction. Let's hope this has a positive one.

"It's not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it's what you leave behind you when you go..."