By Betty Ramsey

We are truly fortunate to live in this beautiful community nestled in the foothills of the Carolinas. As I walked to the bank today I was enjoying the sunshine, fresh clean air and the mountains in the background. Stopping by the farmers market in Thompson’s parking lot I had a conversation with a local woman who really made me think about just how blessed we are. Our conversation turned to how we, as in each of us here in the community, can make a difference.

Her idea (I certainly can’t take credit for it but I like it!) is to actively choose to look for ways to make a difference.  Pay attention to what is happening around us and see if there isn’t some way we can help make someone’s day better.  It could be as simple as holding the door for someone or noticing the young girl at the library who is trying to check out a book to get her GED but can’t because she has fines. If we are paying attention and looking for ways to make a difference we could decide to Pay It Forward and pay the library fine. That is a win-win-win situation, my friends. The young girl gets the book she needs to help herself, the person paying the fine (you) gets to feel all warm and fuzzy inside for doing a good deed, and hopefully someone else will be influenced by your actions to look for ways they can make a difference — all of which makes this an even a better place to live.

Imagine what our community would be like if each of us rose in the morning and actively spent the day looking for ways to make a difference. It doesn’t take money or power, just awareness and the simple good heartedness to reach out and help where there is a need.  Makes me smile just thinking about it.

From the moment we rise to the moment we lie down in the evening our community is filled with opportunities to make a difference. I challenge you to actively purview your world and look for opportunities to be nice. Notice the people behind you and hold the door for them. Smile and say good morning to everyone you pass on the street. At the drive-thru, surprise the next customer by paying for their order. Enjoy the feeling that comes from a simple act of kindness. It’s good for you.

There are literally thousands of ways we can make a difference, I’d like to hear your ideas on simple ways we can make a difference and share them here.  Let’s start a chain reaction of niceness in our community.

 

Betty Ramsey is the publisher of the Tryon Daily Bulletin. Her email address is betty.ramsey@tryondailybulletin.com.