#22: This Little Light of Mine

The Challenge: Do something to make the world a better place.

Kim:
I think the world is made better one person at a time. I thought about the people I know and someone very specific came to mind – a man who I think makes the world a better place each and everyday. He is a youth minister in a nearby church and Jason and I have had the privilege to see him “in action.” He is such an awesome role model and the genuine friendships he has with his students are definitely impacting the lives of these young people for good. We spoke to his students and it is obvious that they are inspired by his dedication and leadership. He and his family make many sacrifices for him to work in that job. It is tough to live on a church salary as the breadwinner and raising a handful of kids, but he is committed to his students and his ministry.
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I think people like this need to be thanked for their impact. Often, they don’t hear enough how much their lives are affecting others. So, I typed up a letter to him (without signing my name) and told him how much he inspires me. I wrote some of the specific things I’ve observed him doing to help make the world a better place. I encouraged him to keep going, even through the hard times.

I wish I had the money to include a big check in the letter, so that him and his family could go on a weekend getaway to WI Dells or something. I do have a coupon book that has some coupons for free things in the area. So, I included a handful of coupons for free ice cream, gourmet coffee, cookies, etc. I hope the note brightens his day and inspires him to keep making the world a better place- one person at a time.

Jason:
john-lennon-peace.jpgI made a real effort to tackle this one with the mindset of a child. Maybe it’s the retired superhero in me, but it seems to me that if you ask a kid to do something to make the world a better place, his first thought would be to think big. As in “whole world” big. This made me feel pretty insignificant; after all, what could I do to make the “whole world” better? Not even Oprah has THAT much reach. But I know someone who does, which is why I turned to prayer. I think God’s got the most pull of anyone I know.

Ah, but what to pray for? My thoughts eventually turned to the Middle East. To be honest, I don’t have a lot of hope for the Middle East in general. I think it’s an Adultitis enhanced form of cynicism that has developed in me over the years. I mean, that entire area has been a hot bed for violence since the beginning of time, what hope do we have for peace? But that’s not how a child would look at it. To a child, ANYTHING is possible. He would send his prayer up to the big guy, fully expecting a positive response.

So I pulled out my rosary, recited the prayers I learned back as a kid in Catholic school, and tried to muster up as much optimism as possible for the Middle East. I prayed that good things would continue in Iraq, and that God would help that area blossom into a beacon of peace for the “whole world.”

Idealistic? Naive? Perhaps. But very, very childlike.

Dark Room Confessionals:
Bonus Video: Kim | Jason

 

vote.gifSo, who was most creative with today’s challenge? Who went beyond the comfort zone and put the biggest hammer on Adultitis? Who did a better job of capturing the spirit of childhood, Kim or Jason? Cast Your Vote!

Tomorrow’s Challenge: Audio Sneak Peek

9 thoughts on “#22: This Little Light of Mine

  1. I think many would agree with me that one way to make the world a better place is to improve the life of a child. I did that in a round-about way today. Someone in my family very recently had a baby and Mom is struggling with one particular aspect of having a newborn that also gave me some trouble. I started by praying for her and will continue to do so, but I also called her to “chat it out.” To let her vent, to let her know she’s not the “only one” having a hard time, and to let her know how I struggled too – and made it through. I hope that I made this mom feel better for even just a second today, and that will make all the difference in the world for her precious baby girl.

  2. My new boss at work, Lauren, will start on Monday. I’ve decided to print up a few colorful “welcome” signs on my computer and put them up in her office. I’m also going to get a few balloons and maybe some flowers to brighten up her desk on her first day!

  3. Tonite I decided to send an e-mail to someone important that might take the time to spread the word to the world about my famous son, Jason. I e-mailed Bill O’Reilly and told him about kimandjason.com, his book and his motivational talks. Maybe he’ll tell the world about Kim and Jason and the world will be a better place for it!

  4. Today I spent about 30 min talking to a colleague of mine whom I only see maybe once a month. She’s normally a very positive, upbeat person, but she was going through a rough time & feeling really down. I just chatted with her & listened. I tried to really just listen. Even though I had planned a task list of things to get done, this was 1 moment, I didn’t hurry off, think about my own things to do, and just was there. It was a good feeling. I hope that I take the time to do that again sometime soon.

  5. I agree with Jaimie in that improving the life of a child is a great way to make his/her world a better place and I also think that we have no idea how great of an impact of the future of our world at large that child will have! Today I made a special donation to the Medical Assistance fund for Compassion International. I sponsor a little boy from Tanzania through Compassion and know through his letters how much having my financial and spiritual support is to his world. Sacrificing a few cups of coffee to help out with the medical needs of other children in Tanzania through my small donation makes me feel like a kid who emptied her piggy bank into the Salvation Army donation bucket at Christmas time!

  6. Pingback: The Rodeo » Blog Archive » No Complaining Day (T.G.E. - Part 22 of 40)

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