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CONVINCE YOURSELF THAT ONE
TEEN DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE

I was speaking at a bookstore when a teenager in the audience shared the following story about Angela, an eighteen-year-old who was working in an animal shelter as part of a school project. Apparently, the real reason she was working there was that she loved animals.

The purpose of the shelter was to try to find homes for stray and lost dogs and cats. If no home could be found, the animals were destroyed. There were hundreds of animals waiting for homes, and only a small percentage were lucky enough to be adopted.

Angela was known for her willingness to go the extra mile and to work extra hours (without pay) to find homes for the animals.

One day a friend of Angela’s came to pick her up at the end of her shift. The two of them were going to a party.

Angela said to her friend, “I have to make one more phone call. There was a woman who came in yesterday who said she might be willing to take Charlie, a sweet older dog who has no other chance. Tomorrow will be his last day here. I have to do something to help him.” “Come on, hurry up,” said her friend, “we’re already late.” Angela responded, “Be patient, I have to do this for Charlie.”

A few minutes later Angela’s friend, who was glaring at her watch, was getting more and more annoyed. Finally she shouted out to Angela, who was still talking on the phone, “Hurry up already. Forget about it. There are too many animals in here for you to make any difference.” Just then, her friend overheard Angela on the phone saying “Thank you so much, Mrs. Wright. Sure, I’ll meet you down here tomorrow so you can pick up Charlie.” As she hung up the phone, she smiled at her friend and said, “Why don’t you tell Charlie that I can’t make a difference?”

Many teens think that they couldn’t possibly make a difference in the world, but that’s not so. The honest truth is, you make a difference every time you look the other way when someone makes an innocent mistake, or when you help to make someone’s day a little better. You make a difference every time you’re thoughtful, helpful, cooperative, generous, compassionate, or kind. Every time you stand up for what’s right or allow someone to “be right,” you make a difference. The same is true every time you are a good listener or when you offer your forgiveness. Even a simple smile can make a world of difference.

Every time you make an ethical decision, offer your support, choose honesty, or lend a helping hand, you make a difference. Every time you are polite, pick up a piece of litter, or send someone a thank-you note, you make a difference. Angela’s kindness wasn’t monumental, but it sure made a difference, especially to Charlie. Likewise, your acts matter just as much. Can you imagine what kind of world we would live in if all teens would convince themselves that they too make a difference? That’s a world I’d like to live in—and thanks to you, it really can happen!