I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. -Mother Teresa

Do you ever feel the need to do more than beyond what you’re doing right now and I mean really beyond?

Not simply a change in career or change in location but a change…No, a shift, from within.

I believe that’s the seed that God has planted in each of us and over the years of ‘being all we can be’ and reaching for the stars, we end up burying that seed deep down below while we strive to make ME better.

Over time, I’ve found that the secret to making ‘Me’ better is simply by shifting your focus towards helping someone else and in turn, you will become better for it.

We all know focusing on ourselves can be a dangerous thing; after all, if all we did was focus on ourselves all day, I’m sure we could come up with a laundry list of issues and imperfections. It’s like looking into one of those 10x magnifying mirrors and finding moles and holes and other things you never knew existed (ladies you know what I’m talking about)!!

What a greater feeling it is to focus on someone else’s needs and weaknesses and become the change needed – instead of waiting on the change to come.

What if, you were to instead, magnify the beauty of a child who’s survived a disease or the beauty of a woman’s smile for the first time after years of abuse or the joy and laughter in someone who was once filled with pain and heartache, wouldn’t that make your ‘issues’ disappear?

We all have the need to make a difference in the world and for some, it comes from the very pain and suffering we once endured. For others, it’s just a shear passion and joy that won’t let up.

So what is it for you?

Maybe you have the desire but have no idea where to start?

Well I’m here to tell you, there is a whole world in need of healing, in need of comfort, and in need of YOU.

What inspired me to write this post was a PBS film titled Half The Sky which, if it does nothing else, will definitely open your eyes to just some of the needs of the world and will hopefully inspire you to take action.

If you’re lost, if you’re stuck, or just unsure as to what kind of contribution you can make in the world, watch the trailer below (you can also watch the full movie at http://www.PBS.org.)

Whether you go across the globe or simply look in your own backyard, whatever it is you have to offer – someone is in need of it.

So quit sulking over your own issues and stop waiting for a change to come.

It’s time to point the magnifying glass outward, rather than inward; it’s time to cast your stone and start creating many ripples.

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4 NKJV)

It’s amazing how much the Bible speaks about helping others, caring for others, and loving others. It’s engrained in us from the very beginning that’s why you will never be fulfilled and your life will never be meaningful if you only put yourself first.

So what contributions will you make? Are you involved in something already? If so, please share your charity, your organization and/or your passion below.

This is my first step in contributing to the uplifting of women through hope, faith, and inspiration and I pray, through the grace of God, it will only continue to sprout from here.