In today’s modern ‘digital age,’ we can do almost anything online… watch movies and tv, read books, play games even host our own talk shows and publish our own opinion columns. But how many of us take the personal empowerment seriously? Do we use this power for the good of all mankind? Or do we horde our power for our personal enjoyment?
Today I had an encouraging chat (via Facebook) with a brother in my church… hi, Rob. He mentioned reading my blog and it got me thinking. I didn’t realize people were actually READING me. I always considered my blog, or any of my personal sites, to be nothing more than journals or scrapbooks. I mean, I’ve hosted podcasts (aka: internet radio talk shows) that have had international listeners. But as far as my personal sites, they’ve always been about myself and my interests.
Nothing wrong with personal edification… we all need some kind of outlet. But when popular technology allows anyone, anywhere to tap into your published thoughts and gleen into your life, the impact your life has on others becomes much more effective. Your life can be an inspiration to others around the world, or just a friend right down the street.
Every other year, our church sends a teen mission to India to help in AIDS homes, orphanages and hospitals. While there, they take plenty of pictures and videos. One year, I was fortunate enough to get my hands on all the raw footage that they did not post on the site. What I saw amazed and shocked me. Teenagers donning surgical masks and gloves, cleaning the wounds and skin of lepers… many of whom were so disfigured by their condition they seem like mutants. And through all of the mangled faces and missing limbs, these teenagers remained helpful and encouraging and never once pulled away from a patient. The were willing to put themselves on the line in the face of challenges for something other than themselves.
But these kids did not do this in order to BE inspiring, but rather to GAIN inspiration. They wanted to know the suffering and issues that plague the world outside them. They were so trapped in their high-school, peer-pressured daily lives that they needed to break out and go somewhere radical. Only when they got out of their comfort zone and left what they know behind did they find what they were looking for.
But we (you reading this and me writing it) don’t need to leave our homes for that kind of inspiration. We can find it anywhere we look if we take the time to become emotionally invested. But more then seeking, we can provide those inspiring finds… if we take the time to share what little we have found with others online.
Who’s reading your online posts? How have you help to inspire others online to rise above their limitations and seek more from their life? How can you start? Here’s some things to try:
1. Share the hardest thing you ever did. Why did you do it and how?
2. Share want inspires you. What is the most inspiring book, movie, tv show, game, person, whatever… that you have ever encountered? Why was it so moving?
3. Share your dreams. What would you love to do with your life? How would you love to change for the better? What can you do to begin the process?
If you don’t share, someone else will. Who knows how they will impact the world.
