Making A Difference Is A Choice…
The great philosophers of all time recognized that our thoughts ultimately determine what happens to us. It’s not the other way around.
“We do not quit playing because we grow old, we grow old because we quit playing.” Oliver Wendell Holmes
When we realize that we all have innate power to reach out and make a difference, then all kinds of wonderful things happen.
I’ve been greatly inspired lately by the deeds of our youth. In completing research for my first children’s book, “Social Justice: How You Can Make A Difference,” I did internet research and discovered a number of non-profits, started by kids, who have helped millions of others.
What’s fascinating to me is that kids often don’t have a preconceived thought in their mind that they can’t accomplish their goals. They just go out and DO IT!
In my book, one of the youth I talked about was Bilaal Rajaan from Toronto, Canada, who started fundraising for earthquake victims at age four. He heard about children who had lost their parents and happened to be eating a clementine at the moment. So, he decided to go door-to-door and raise funds for these kids by selling clementines. That first effort netted him $350.
Now, Bilaal has literally raised millions of dollars, and has just published HIS first book — at age twelve. If you’d like to hear his interview with Alex Mandossian, check out Alex’s blog — www.alexmandossian.com, and scroll down to his audio clip with Bilaal.
On Bilaal’s website (www.makingchangenow.com), you’ll find that Bilaal has raised over $5 million for various causes and is the youngest Ambassador ever for UNICEF, worldwide. He has been granted many awards for his tireless efforts these past eight years.
Bilaal’s ultimate goal is to inspire one million kids in the next three years to maximize their true potential and get involved in creating a better world, to have fun and to MAKE CHANGE NOW. There is only now, because tomorrow isn’t here yet. Now, today, is when change starts.
It’s amazing to hear from youth what it takes to make a difference. As Bilaal recommends, “Just go for it!”