Making your mark in this world is important. Whether you are a parent, family member or friend, your legacy is important. People don’t believe that when you enter a room, other people have already made up their minds about who you are. Most of you all are saying “I don’t care what anybody thinks about me!” But actually you should care whether or not your presence is a memorable one. No one wants to be looked at or judged upon appearance but what is important is your presence. How do you carry yourself? Do you smile and say hello? Are people interested in talking to you? Do people want to know you?
I remember meeting a nice, interesting woman at the airport who looked like a person who lived a simple life. She lived in Costa Rica, was retired and lived away from the world. She sat next to me and we started talking about our travels and how she enjoyed her simple life in the mountains with nature. That lady doesn’t know it but she left her mark. I was so impressed by her life and how at peace she was. There was a joy and calmness to her words.
I have met some amazing people in my lifetime and what is even more exciting, is that I am eagerly waiting to meet more. I would like to think that it is my mark in this world. Re-connecting with old friends, new friends, colleagues, and associates is pretty cool. No one wants to re-connect with you unless you left your mark.
Now how do you leave your mark? Start by recreating yourself. Less is more. You don’t have to be over the top.Wear a brand new lip color. Try a different hairdo. Add a little color to the wardrobe. Accessorize with a piece you were always afraid to wear. Smile more. And don’t be afraid to have a conversation with someone you don’t know.Start leaving your mark today. Watch how the world embraces you.
Share some of your “I left my mark” moments with the Savvy Sistahs of the world.
Mmmm, when I was younger I used to give people books. I used to go to the store and buy all of these gospel genre books and I would give them out according to the persons situation. I did not know what I was doing at the time. I just had seen my mother do it all the time. I emulated her and later on two people told me that I changed their life. One teacher that I gave an entire gospel book series to. And a senior in high school (when I was a freshman) who I gave a Bible Promise Scripture book to.
The teacher said, I changed her view of wealth with those books and she would never be poor again in her life. The other girl said that no one in her family was saved and 5 years after I had given her that book she and some of her family were saved and she still had the book. She hugged me and thanked me right there on the spot, after not seeing me since she graduated.
That felt great. I’m so thankful for those moments. They let me know that I had something to give.
I’d like to leave my mark by sharing a kind word, a word of wisdom or an inspirational thought. It is my prayer that I leave a positive impression with everyone I meet even if we never meet again.
Because I work in the education field, I work hard at being intentional about the kind of mark I leave. I want to always encourage people to be free to embrace who they are in this world. Nowadays people are mean, defensive and very closed interpersonally. Allowing people to express themselves freely and encouraging them where necessary is how I leave my mark. Great blog Kelley D!!
Love the article Kelley! And with that being said I know that being the oldest of three,the mother of three and a grandmother I know that I will leave a mark knowing that I have gave my all in being who I am,which is a strong,loving heart to heart woman.Each day we go thru life,not knowing that we left a mark along the way…so as I continue thru life,I hope that I leave a mark behind whether it’s from words to wisdom.
Decided to go natural four months ago and now wear my hair in a curly afro. When I dropped my girls off at school today (the school has a mostly white population), two African American fifth grade girls stopped me and said, “You look beautiful”. I left my mark and did not need a weave or perm to do it!
I think the best “I left my mark” moments are those for which we have no idea we actually did. As for the first person I can think of who left their mark with me, it was during last year’s Chicago Marathon–the man with no legs running on paddles. When I saw him, I said, I can do that, and Sunday, a year later, I did. I cannot get that man out of my head. I have no idea who he is, but he is someone I’ll never forget.
Great Blog Kelley! The Mark you speak of is what I call my dash in life. Birth is when you enter into life and Death is when it is over; but the dash tells Your story. I wake up daily hoping to live my dash to the fullest, striving to treat people in the most caring way, I know how! Some days I succeed and some I don’t, but that is my mission. You are right, Nicole. We may never know our impact on some people, however we can purpose ourselves to “dash for life”, even when we don’t feel up to it. If we do that , we will effect positive interactions on many levels of living.
I have left my mark when I shaved my hair and decided to go, not only natural, but close bald. It gave me freedom in a spiritual way and 20 minutes of extra sleep in the morning time!!!! “I AM NOT MY HAIR” was my anthem. Well as time went on, I noticed the compliments from Women on the streets who really wanted to do it but were AFRAID to take that leap. Soon I started to notice women (my friends, peers and colleagues) going shorter and shorter. Well today, three of my good friends have joined the “short and natural beautiful women’s club”. I guess I made my mark by letting go and saying “I AM NOT MY HAIR”….