Page 12 - April 2021 Voices

PJ’s PERSPECTIVE
Make a Difference
PJ Kleffner, DTM - District Director
Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr.,
Mother Theresa, Ludwig van Beethoven,
Alfred Hitchcock—Why do we recognize these
names? We know them because they made a
difference. Whether leading a nation or a civil
rights movement, composing beautiful music
or making historical breakthroughs in the art of
filmmaking, these people were, and continue to
be an inspiration. They made a difference. Are
any of us going to make such an impact on the
world? Only time will tell if school children in
the future are forced to learn our names.
While most of us are not destined for such
greatness, we do influence those around us.
Whether we like it or not, we are role models for
our children, grandchildren, co-workers, and
friends. When I was seven years old, my family
spent the summer with relatives in Wyoming.
My grandfather was a kind, gentle, unassuming
man who taught me many things about life
and human nature. If you asked his opinion of
someone that everyone else hated, the worst
thing he might say is something like, “Well, he
is kind of hard to get along with.”
I try to remember that when I am feeling
judgmental and critical of someone. I also
remember an important lesson about having a
solid foundation. He said, “Never get in such a
hurry that you can’t find a place for your feet.” I
learned this lesson by falling off a moving tractor,
but I discovered that it could be applied to many
12 ONE COMMUNITY
other situations, both literally and figuratively.
Grandpa made a difference in my life.
Have you seen the movie As Good As it Gets
with Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt? For those
of you who haven’t seen it, Jack Nicholson plays
a rather despicable character suffering from
obsessive-compulsive disorder. He is interested
in Helen Hunt, but has absolutely no social skills.
She becomes so angry with him during a dinner
that she threatens to walk out, unless he can say
one nice thing about her—give her one genuine
compliment. Do you remember what he said? –
“You make me want to be a better person.”
Who makes you want to be a better person?
It’s easy to feel that way about people we love—we
are willing to do things to make life better for
our spouse, parents, children, or grandchildren.
What about complete strangers? Do you hold the
door open for the person behind you? Have you
ever put a quarter in someone’s expired parking
meter when the parking patrol was coming?
Do you let people merge in front of you on the
freeway? Have you ever told a person with only
one item to go ahead of you in the check out line?
Yes, these small acts of kindness might cost you
a few minutes or some loose change, but they
can make a difference in the other person’s life.
Of course, you run the risk of letting someone in
line who then tries to use a debit card that doesn’t
work, but usually, it’s no big deal. However, if
you don’t want to give up your time or any spare