Make a difference. When you do something, do it for nothing instead of doing it for something. Make more effort than people come to expect.

When I was growing up, people genuinely cared about each other. Even if we didn't have time, we made time to help other people out. Society was different. We we're taught to listen, we were taught to mediate, we were taught about compromise, offered support and helped others where we could.

Life was easier, simpler even. It didn’t matter what the problem was, ‘the customer was always right.’ Now we have to fight to be heard and still have to prove ourselves and sometimes have a hard time doing both. Nothing was a chore back then.

The world was different. Now those times have gone and with it people’s attitudes have changed. Whether we're looking at life through family or outside scenarios, life isn't easy, but for those of who stay embroiled in their own personal battles, we will always find life difficult. I believe it’s never too late to make a difference.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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6 comments on “Making a difference”

  1. I think today's society is always in such a hurry that it doesn't take the time to help others. It seems like it's always about how to get more for ourselves in the materialistic aspect or too focused on our own problems.

    The value of a kind word and a listening ear are sometimes underestimated. They don't cost anything but for some it can signify everything. A simple smile can brighten someone's day who is otherwise having a tough day.

    Life is hard, but we can make it a little easier by helping each other more.

    1. A great response, thanks Maria. As you say it doesn't cost anything for us to offer a kind word and a listening ear.

      Unfortunately we do seem to be more self-absorbed, more now than we've ever been, but still believe we're capable of turning that around. We've done it once before, we can do it again.

  2. I agree. But there are many things in our historical past that I don't have nostalgia for.

    The good old days are interpreted through different lenses and it depended on what side of the fence we were on. But it's obvious that we've become more and more impersonal with each other and it appears that our hearts have hardened and the love of money has taken precedence over love of people.

    But like you Ilana, I believe we can make a difference even in the slightest of ways.

    1. Thanks Tim. Your thoughts about our love of money instead of our love for each other is a great analogy of where society is.

      My mum used to quote me a similar quote at me and my siblings, particularly when it came to our behaviour. Even though society has lost its way slightly, it's still capable of changing its behaviour. We have to want to care.

  3. I believe it's called caring. When I was younger, growing up; people cared about others. Now it seems like others don't matter as much and we've lost touch with each other. I tend to blame the advancement of technology for this.

    Now we text, email or have instant access to a phone. The personal touch is gone. We don't have time to sit and write those nice hand written letters like we used to, or even take a nice meal to someone who is sick or indisposed.

    I think we need to try and do this again. It doesn't take a lot of time to jot down a nice note to someone we care about.

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