Angelina Jolie was recently awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. Being a world citizen myself while travelling to 12 different countries with different political structures and working with clients from all over the world, I must say that I’m a big fan of Angelina’s efforts to make a difference in the world.
Yet, this time it’s not her activities that inspired me to write this post. It’s her speech during this event which makes me say… “Absolutely! Let’s talk about this – out loud!!!”
You see, you and I are pretty fortunate. We might not have Angelina’s riches, fame or looks, but we have some things in common. Things which when used correctly, CAN make a difference!
1. Opportunities
If you’re reading this post, you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to connect with others over the internet, study, work, run a business or start a non-profit organization. We can read, write, sing and paint. We can reach out to others and up-level our lives, careers, and relationships. We can live independently or choose to depend on others. We can travel, move from one place to another, own credit cards or buy cars. Opportunities are endless, limited only by our imagination.
2. Freedom
It’s hard to believe that somewhere out there, there are people sold into slavery every single day. There are people locked in refugee camps without freedom to use their skills or move on with their careers. Yet, this is every day reality for many. On the other side, we can enjoy freedom of speech and freedom to have our own opinion. We even have freedom to say “I disagree” without being thrown to jail or being sentenced to death. Not everybody around the globe can say the same. There are people out there (yes, even in the 21st century!) who are beaten, even killed for having different opinions than those approved by governments.
3. Power to make a difference
You and I have something else in common with Angelina Jolie. We have the power to make a difference! In addition to having freedom to live our lives however we want and having the opportunity to move in any desired direction, we have the power to speak up, support, donate, reach out, connect, empower and make our world a better place for everybody. You can start as small or as big as you want to. All it takes is the first step. And then another. You don’t need to wait until you climb to a certain position or have millions in your bank account. You can start where you are right now with what you have.
Something to think about & implement: What can you do today that will make a difference in the life of somebody else? Maybe open up a discussion with your audience about a topic you’re passionate about? How about committing to support a non-profit organization of your choice? Maybe you can shoot a video where you explain reasons behind your decision to support a specific cause. Use the gifts you have to share you passion and make difference. You have all it takes to make it happen!
