"One person can make a difference. In fact, it's not only possible for one person to make a difference, it's essential that one person makes a difference. And believe it or not, that person is you." -Bob Riley
My wife Laura and I are lucky enough to be friends with the well known and talented singer/songwriter Mara. Mara is better known to her friends as Marjorie Whitley and all of us love her music, her talent and really her passion for music. She also has a deep compassion for others and that comes through in her music and in her actions.
Since I like to write about each of us making a difference in the lives of others, today is certainly no exception. Mara is one of those people who makes a difference in the lives of others. And as you may notice, she is not a large organization with hundreds of people. She is one person, doing what one person can do and that is making a difference in another persons life.
One of those people happens to be Riley, the son of a good friend she grew up with. Her friend now lives in northern Virginia along with her family and of course a wonderful young boy named Riley.
Riley is an active, playful and very much the little boy any of us would expect. The only difference is that he has Down Syndrome. And on Saturday, October 20th, Riley and some 2000 of his friends will be participating in the 2012 Northern Virginia Buddy Walk at George Mason University. Rain or shine, it is going to be a fun festival with live entertainment including Chris Burke, moon bounce inflatables, pony rides, cartoon characters, a petting zoo, face painters, an exhibitor tent, food vendors, police cars, fire trucks and much more.
Now you might be thinking Fairfax, Virginia is a long distance away and what could you possibly do? The thing you can do is easy, it is small, but it can make a huge difference in the lives of people you will never meet. And that is to donate a few dollars to the Down Syndrome Association which will help provide important services that enhance the quality of life for individuals with Down Syndrome and their families.
It does not take hundreds, thousands or millions of dollars from you, although very large checks are accepted and very nice to get. What it does take are a few dollars from individuals wanting to make a difference in the life of another. There is no payback, no neat gift for participating or even a framed certificate of appreciation.
What you do get is a tax deduction for the donation, the warm feeling of having made that difference and the biggest gift of all, that picture above of Riley's smiling face etched into your mind.
Do something for someone else today and smile knowing you had an impact.
Stay inspired my friends!
