Yes You Can

A friend who was down in the dumps wrote me a letter a few weeks ago. His life was full of problems. His heart was full of worries. He was low on hope. He ended his letter to me with this question: “We can’t really change this crazy world we live in, can we?”

I answered him immediately and started my own letter with these words: “Yes, we most certainly can!”

I can still remember one of the first times someone changed my world. She was the music teacher at my elementary school, the guitarist at our church, and a family friend. I had a huge crush on her too and wanted to impress her more than anything. I had no talent at any instrument, however, and my singing while enthusiastic was quite awful.

One day she let me try playing her guitar. I did my best but could only stumble along. When was done I put my head down. “I guess I am not very good,” I told her. She looked at me with her kind eyes, smiled, and said: “We are all good at something. You just need to find out what you are good at. Then you can share it with the world.”

Those simple words changed me. They planted a seed in my soul that continues to grow to this day. They made me realize that I had something to give to others. I had something inside of me that was good and that could change this world for the better. I just had to find it, bring it out and share it. And that is what I have tried to do all of the years since that fateful day.

Can you change the world. Yes you can! You can change it and make it better every single day of your life. You can change it one choice, one person, and one kind act at a time. All you have to do is share your goodness. All you have to do is live your love.

Mother Teresa once said: “God doesn’t ask us to do great things, only small things with great love.” Make your love great then! Live well! Do good! Change the world!

Joseph J. Mazzella