Helen Savage — growtoprosper.com

A man in India single-handedly planted an entire forest, proving that one person really can make a large difference.

You always hear that one person can make a large difference in the world. Today, we’ve got a story that proves that saying.

When he was a teenager in Northern India’s Assam region about 30 years ago, Jadav “Molai” Payeng began planting seeds in a sandbar near his birthplace. A few years later, he moved into the area and turned the seed-planting and tree-nurturing into his life’s work, planting seeds and helping them grow over a wide area that was initially left for desolate.

In the past 30 years, his seed-planting endeavors have resulted in a massive, 1,360-acre jungle in Assam, a forest ecosystem that has left an incredible mark on the Indian landscape and stands as a testament to Payeng’s dedication.

Initially, the forest department told Payeng that trees could not grow in that area. He was not dissuaded; instead he dedicated himself to the task of nurturing the forest, and his dedication has produced results. The Molai woods, in addition to being covered with lush greenery, is now home to a whole host of creatures big and small, including birds, deers, rhinos, tigers, and elephants.

Jadav “Molai” Payeng is a hero to those animals, to the ecosystem in the area, and to conservationists across India. But he is also a hero to us, people living oceans away who don’t necessarily work in forestry or in the environment industry. Payeng is a hero because he has proven that with commitment, blood, sweat, knowledge, and dedication to making a difference, one person can truly make a difference, and a large difference, on the world.

It’s easy to discount the impact that we can have on the people and places around us. It’s easy to feel insignificant when faced with the enormity of the issues that surround us. But it’s important to remember that our actions, no matter how small they may be, make a difference. Whether it’s bringing a smile to someone’s day or revitalizing a forest ecosystem, the little acts of kindness and good have enormous impact.

Our small actions may not necessarily lead to a forest and safe haven for animals, but they have the potential to grow and flourish all the same.

Sameer Vasta

What’s Important

I talk to people all the time who want to invest and earn money. There’s nothing wrong with that, in fact it’s a wonderful pursuit to reach your financial goals and give your family as many options as possible in how they live their lives. But I frequently encounter individuals who haven’t thought beyond “I want to earn a lot of money.” Money itself isn’t a goal; it just gives you the opportunity to choose.

In order to really understand yourself as an investor, you must understand what is truly important for you. For me – it’s family. The first time I traveled to Croatia was in 1979; I was 7 years old. I saw firsthand where my parents lived as children and got a taste for how they grew up. My mom’s home was in a small village in the mountains. Her parents were farmers and their entire home was just one room, maybe 20′ x 20′ in size. There was no running water or electricity.

I remember first thing in the morning, we would walk the donkey with a big water jug on its back to a stream four miles away. We would fill it up and head another four miles back to the house. That was our water supply for the day. The life they lived was very hard compared to what I knew, yet they did what they had to do without complaint. My parents were surrounded by unconditional love – something they passed on to me – and they always had a roof over their heads and something to eat. They were always happy as children and never knew about all the luxuries and excess in the Western World. My mom had to walk miles to school, as a child, trying to imagine that was very hard. That summer, we celebrated my brother Mike’s, 6th birthday. I remember my Grandma putting on a pot of boiling water on the wood stove while my Grandpa went out to the chicken coup to find his biggest chicken. That was the first time I ever saw a chicken run with its head cut off! This was his prized possession and the best gift he had to give us all to celebrate my brother’s birthday. We had a wonderful family feast.

The trip really taught me to appreciate how easy my life is and that you really don’t need a lot of ‘stuff’ to be content. I think back on the experience and the life I lead today. I help people reach their dreams of financial freedom and peace. Not so they can be the richest person in the cemetery, but so they can choose how they and their families live. That is what is important and it’s why I do what I do – to help them accomplish those goals through well thought out financial plans and advice. While I was writing my new book, Set for Life: Financial Peace of Mind Made Easy, I once again had the opportunity to visit Croatia and much has changed, but the people haven’t. Their dreams are just as strong as is their love of life. It’s proof to me that happiness is still found in the simplest pleasures, and true peace has little to do with the amount in your bank account.

John Svalina

A poem hangs on the wall at Mother Teresa’s orphanage in India. For all who are called to lead, it is a great reminder of what we should do:

1. People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered (including me). Love them anyway.

2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway.

3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.

4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.

6. The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the littlest people with the littlest ideas. Think big anyway.

7. People favor underdogs, but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

9. People really need help, but may attack you if you do help them. Help them anyway.

10. Give the world the best you have and you will get kicked in the teeth. Give the best you have anyway.

The most destructive habit….worry
The greatest joy………….giving
The greatest loss…loss of self respect

The most satisfying work…helping others
the ugliest personality trait…selfishness
The most endangered species…dedicated leaders

our greatest natural resource…our youth
greatest “shot in the arm”…encouragement
greatest problem to overcome…fear

most effective sleeping pill…peace of mind
most crippling disease…excuses
most powerful force in life…love

most incredible computer…brain
worst thing to be without…hope
deadliest weapon…the tongue

2 most power-filled words…I can
greatest asset…faith
most worthless emotion…self-pity

most beautiful attire…smile
most prized posession…integrity
most contagious spirit…enthusiasm

- Unknown

- if you’re feeling low, devote some time to something you’re good at. it will help you face your next challenge with confidence
-when someone invites you to take part in an activity you dont normally do, say yes
-create your own phrase and repeat it often. eg. ‘love life’. tell yourself often enough and it will come true.
-pick up the phone right now and invite someone for a coffee or a walk.
-stop talking.. dont provide answers, solutions, excuses – just listen.
-make a list of all your strengths.check it in a week or two and see if you can add more.
-next time you’re doing a simple errand(eg. taking junk to the tip) offer to do it for a neighbour or friend.
-start a diary, draw a picture, write a poem – you will learn so much more about yourself
-spend an afternoon alone. give yourself time to reflect.
-make a conscious decision to see the beauty in everyone you meet. even if they are making your life hard.
-when was the last time you really hugged your partner, best friend.. makes amends today
- tell your parents how much you appreciate them NOW
- arrange a quiet meal with your partner this week. start the conversation with so tell me about… then listen
- volunteer to help a community organization
-send a small thank you card to someone youve recently shared a happy time with, no matter how small the occasion.
- next time you go on an outing take a friend along.
- list 5 goals on a piece of paper and put it on your fridge, decide when to cross your first one off.
- start each day expecting the best.
- re-read an inspiring book when your soul needs nurturing.
-if your inspired by some one – tell them
- spend time with some children, its a wonderful reminder of just how much there is to enjoy and learn when your being open.
-keep a journal of the lessons youve learned and the feelings you have. focus on your values and beliefs. your journal can become your personal collection of ‘inspirational stories to give your life new meaning.
- if your relationship with someone is rocky ignore all the quotes that people make up there not necessarily true.

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow–
You may succeed with another blow,
Success is failure turned inside out–
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit–
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Edgar A. Guest

Awakened by the phone ringing at 11:35 p.m., I fumble for the receiver beside my bed. Who would be calling at this time of night?

“Hello,” I mumble, my brain barely functioning.

“Mom, I’m not in jail.” The voice at the other end belongs to my 21-year-old daughter, Rachel.

“What?” My heart is beginning to race and my imagination is running away with me. It’s amazing how quickly those words fully awaken me.

“I’m not actually in jail,” my daughter continues. “I’m fine. It’s my car.”

“What’s the matter?” I ask, trying to make sense of what I am hearing.

“My car was impounded. I found out that since it’s registered in your name, you have to be the one to get it out.” There is a sense of urgency in her voice.

“At this hour of the night?”

I knew earlier in the day that her car had been missing. She assumed it had been towed and was trying to locate it. Now she is calling from the city impoundment lot that closed at midnight, (or so I thought.) It’s located in the industrial area of a city of 900,000 people. I’m not at all familiar with that part of the city and I avoid it even in daylight. Travel there alone at night? Certainly not.

I awaken my husband, explaining the situation. Fortunately his concern for our daughter wins out over his anger at being awakened.

After driving down the freeway, we wind our way down the darkened streets in the industrial area of the city. The world is eerily silent except for an occasional passing car.

“I hope some day that she will believe the signs she reads,” I say wistfully. “She parked in the half-empty parking lot of an apartment building to visit a friend this morning and ended up staying for three hours. She ignored the sign that said ‘unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense.’”

A university student, Rachel had a penchant for parking in unauthorized places in the cramped lots at school, and had already collected her share of parking tickets. However, this is her first towing experience.

When we arrive at the impoundment lot, Rachel and her room-mate are waiting for us and are in a good mood. In fact, she gets me laughing too. The woman at the desk stares at us in disbelief. No doubt she had seen a good many confrontations between angry parents and children in similar situations – or has dealt with angry car owners coming to claim their cars. No doubt laughter in her office is an extremely rare thing.

“Why are you laughing?” I ask.

“It was a choice between crying and laughing,” Rachel says. “I choose to laugh.”

“And why did you wait until 11:30 to pick up your car?” I ask.

She explains that although she had gotten off work at 8 p.m., she had chosen to watch her favorite T.V. program at 10 p.m. as a way to “de-stress” before she and her friend left to pick up her car.

All it takes is my husband’s driver’s license for identification, and she is free to take her 1991 Chevy Sprint rust bucket home. She still has a hefty fee to pay, but that’s now her problem.

As my husband and I drive home, a little short of sleep, I think of other parents who get phone calls in the night from their children – who really are in jail, or from police reporting that their child was in an accident, or worse. I silently breathe a prayer of “thanks” to the Lord that our daughter is safe.

A “jailed” car is trivial in comparison to other things that could have happened. So many things in life are irritating, annoying, and inconvenient at the time, but are of no lasting consequences. I think my daughter’s philosophy is a good one. I, too, choose to laugh.

Janet Seever

It’s a wise custom to end an old year and begin a new one with serious self-reflection. What did you learn this year that could improve your life and make you a wiser and better person?

If you want to have a successful and fulfilling New year, start by examining the way you think and feel about your job, your relationships, and yourself. After all, the single most important factor in personal happiness and your impact on others is your attitude.

In the geometry of life, the axiom is “positive attitudes produce positive results.” They make success more likely, failures less harmful, pleasures more frequent, and pain more bearable. Some people tend to bring warm sunshine wherever they go; others bring cold chills. What do you bring?

To find out where you can improve, take an inventory of your predispositions, the attitude you’re most likely to start with:

Are you generally optimistic or pessimistic?

Do you tend to assume the best or expect the worst of people?

Is your first instinct to be empathetic or judgmental?

Is your first instinct to be supportive or critical?

Do you send the message that you enjoy life or that you’re barely enduring it?

Do you come across as the captain of your own ship or simply a passenger?

Wherever you are on the positive-attitude spectrum, think how much better things could be if you were more consistently and self-consciously optimistic, empathetic, supportive, grateful, enthusiastic, hopeful, and cheerful.

So why not resolve to think, act, and speak more positively about yourself, your family, your coworkers, and everyone else in your life?

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.

Michael Josephson

In December 1999, 21 months after my first book, Unstoppable was published, my husband of 20 years and I separated. We had met in college and I fully intended to be married to him for the rest of my life. For those of you who have experienced this type of loss, you know how difficult and painful it can be.

That year, my husband had intended on joining me and my son for the holidays at my parent’s house in Florida and now, we would be going alone. The first few days at my parent’s house were excruciating. I was in great pain and had momentarily lost my hope for a happy future. After a few days of feeling sorry for myself, I realized that I couldn’t control what was happening. The only thing I could control was my response to my circumstances. In that moment, I vowed that next Christmas, I would not be feeling sorry for myself at my parent’s house. I would dedicate myself to doing something for someone else.

When I got home, I called my mentor and friend, Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat for Humanity International (HFH) who I had met when I interviewed him to be in my book. He told me that when you have a great pain in your life, you need a greater purpose and encouraged me that building a house for a family in need might be a great project.

Millard had just returned from a trip to Nepal, one of the poorest nations in the world. Following Millard’s advice, I asked myself the question, “How many houses would I need to build to offset this pain in my life? When I got to the number of 100 – that felt bigger than my pain.

I had never been to Nepal, I’d never raised money for a project such as this before, and I had no idea how I would pull it off, but having that purpose invigorated me and most importantly, it kept my mind off of myself and my “problems.” Even though there were many times when I felt so depressed I didn’t even want to get out of bed, I’d think about these Nepalese families who didn’t have a simple decent place to sleep at night. That put my life back in perspective and I continued to move forward.

By December 2000, I had raised $200,000 and took a team of 20 people to Nepal and we built the first three of the 100 houses in that project. One of the homes was for a single woman named Chandra who was supporting seven other family members including her parents, brothers and sisters. They had all been living in a small one bedroom shack. Even though she consistently saved money every week from her job at a cookie factory, it would never have been enough to build a home without the help of HFH.

Even though we didn’t speak the same language, Chandra and I connected. When it was time for us to leave, she began to cry and said, “Please don’t ever forget me.” I thought, “How could I forget you? You were the purpose that kept me going through the most difficult year of my life.”

That experience was truly one of the most transformational experiences in my life and was the first time that I personally experienced the power of giving. What was even more interesting is during that year, I made more money than I ever made in my life even though that was not my primary intention.

I believe this story represents the essence of the law of giving and receiving. You don’t need to be experiencing pain or loss to feel the immense rewards of helping others. You also don’t need to set out to build 100 homes. Start small; start with helping to provide clean water for a child or a school lunch for children who are going without.

The scriptures say, “Give and it shall be given unto you.” It doesn’t say wait until your life is working and then give or wait until you feel you have something to give before you give. It simply says GIVE. You don’t need to know how it will all work out, you only need to have faith that when you are committed, you will be supported. As you connect with a Divine calling that is bigger than yourself, miracles await you.

Cynthia Kersey
Chief Humanitarian Officer, Unstoppable Foundation

Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.
I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.
I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It’s OK to stumble…I will get up. It’s OK to fail…I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.
I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.
Today I will make a difference.

Max Lucado