Call to Action: Make a Difference

I received a call from someone that I haven’t seen or spoken to since high school. The call came out of nowhere and was an unexpected surprise.

It started something like this.

“In 10th grade, you stood up to someone who was being unkind to me. Over what? I have no idea. But the fact that you stepped in and came up with something witty and so perfectly shut the whole thing down sticks with me to this day. You were always quiet until you had something to say. I was super grateful and I still am.”

I was kind of speechless.

I always considered myself a bit of a nobody. But a smart-ass? Yes, that I could be. I suspect her description of “witty” was just being kind. I’m sure I said something smart-ass at the time, though admittedly I don’t recall the exact situation.

“Well, thank you for telling me,” I said.

She continued, “I have followed your work for years. I am a super-fan.”

“I had no idea. Thank you for that,” I said.

“Look, every day you Tweet out something that I know you hope inspires someone to make a difference out there in the world. I want you to know I do my best to do just that. Though not at the same level as you, I do my best to be a good Rippler.”

There was a momentary pause. I searched for words. It really touched my heart. She said, “For all you do and what you did for me way back in high school, I always swore I’d find a way to pay you back. Well, buddy, that day is today.”

Turns out, she had purchased several of my books and managed to get some really incredible visibility at her company. They were working on bringing me in to do a workshop for their executive team. My effort cost me nothing but made a difference. I am sure, at the time, I had no idea it did.

Heck, today, I still question just how big a deal it really was. But that’s the point. The Ripples we create may seem so insignificant to us at the time but can have untold value to the person we create them for.

Sometimes that value is incalculably huge for the other person.

But until my friend reached out, I had no idea. Clearly whatever my snarky comment was to shut down the bully behavior worked. It made an impression and here we are some 30+ years later. It’s still Rippling. She’s become a loyal follower and until she raised her hand to actually thank me for the first, of many, Ripples she learned from me (her words - not mine), I didn’t have a clue.

This month’s theme at Ripple Central is Make a Difference. I released a video that really drives home how you can, right now, make a difference for someone who has made a difference in your own life. I’d be honored if you checked it out and left your thoughts on this post or in the comment on Youtube.

More importantly, take this as your Call To Action. Ripplers, go forth and Ripple. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.

I’m still flying high from this phone call and can’t wait to see just how far and wide this particular Ripple goes.

Ripple On!!!