What, if any, impact do you have on the world?

lilmutegirl

lilmutegirl

Well-known member
I recently watched a video clip of a waitress who was given a bunch of great tips-$1,000, a trip to Hawaii, a car...
The reason people were so willing to do this for her was because she overcame an eating disorder and used yoga as part of her recovery, and opened her own yoga studio to help others.
Most of the people I know are extremely well-loved and experts in one or many areas.
I do not feel like I possess anything like this. I am well-liked for the most part, but I don't know that it would be to an extreme degree, where people view me as family, or anything. Also, while I know some things, I am still learning a lot at one of my jobs, so I feel inadequate to be effective.
 
P

PerseverareJasmine

Well-known member
My impact on the world is pretty minimal. I have a family that loves me though, so I'm lucky for that. I matter to them, if not to many other people.
 
L

Lavinialuna

Well-known member
I know I mean a lot to my husband and kids, but otherwise minimal. I do try to give people pep talks. Sometimes I will look for posts that no one or few have commented on and then read and comment so people don't think no one is listening. Probably little to no impact, but I am trying.
 
Odo

Odo

Banned
Thinking like this is just going to make you really, really unhappy.

If she hadn't opened the yoga studio, someone else would have. I'm not saying she isn't doing something worthwhile or that it isn't rewarding for her or that it isn't great that she has overcome her own struggles, just that it's not as important as you might think, and she'll be forgotten just like everyone else in time.

The truth is that very very very few people actually have a measurable impact on the world, and the rest of us are largely disposable. In fact, just by living the western lifestyle you're causing far more environmental destruction than you could ever hope to make up for-- I really don't think that helping people with their eating disorders makes up for that!

It's annoying how having a struggle seems to be the only way people can receive validation from others. To be honest, I think the glorification of that kind of thing makes people without problems envy people who have issues, because their lives seem boring and less worthwhile because they haven't had any serious obstacles to overcome. It's sort of the same thing as people adopting a victim mentality so that they can receive all of the sympathy and support they're usually too ordinary/normal to get-- sort of like the lead character in Fight Club.

This all might sound depressing, but it's actually liberating-- if you don't matter, you can do whatever makes you happy and you don't have to worry about the world. The world will take care of itself-- you need to focus on yourself and being as happy and as good as you can be. Question every single norm, find your own path, and listen to your inner voice.

Don't compare yourself to others, especially when you're hearing these things from a story written to 'inspire'... they never tell the whole truth and even if they do, it doesn't matter. Focus on you and don't worry if you're doing the 'right' thing or if you're doing something 'important'.
 
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takeheart

takeheart

Well-known member
I think that having an impact on the world doesn't have to be anything fancy. It could be as simple as making someone smile or just treating other people with respect.
 
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Psychedelicious

Psychedelicious

1
important

Odo said:
Thinking like this is just going to make you really, really unhappy.

If she hadn't opened the yoga studio, someone else would have. I'm not saying she isn't doing something worthwhile or that it isn't rewarding for her or that it isn't great that she has overcome her own struggles, just that it's not as important as you might think, and she'll be forgotten just like everyone else in time.

The truth is that very very very few people actually have a measurable impact on the world, and the rest of us are largely disposable. In fact, just by living the western lifestyle you're causing far more environmental destruction than you could ever hope to make up for-- I really don't think that helping people with their eating disorders makes up for that!

It's annoying how having a struggle seems to be the only way people can receive validation from others. To be honest, I think the glorification of that kind of thing makes people without problems envy people who have issues, because their lives seem boring and less worthwhile because they haven't had any serious obstacles to overcome. It's sort of the same thing as people adopting a victim mentality so that they can receive all of the sympathy and support they're usually too ordinary/normal to get-- sort of like the lead character in Fight Club.

This all might sound depressing, but it's actually liberating-- if you don't matter, you can do whatever makes you happy and you don't have to worry about the world. The world will take care of itself-- you need to focus on yourself and being as happy and as good as you can be. Question every single norm, find your own path, and listen to your inner voice.

Don't compare yourself to others, especially when you're hearing these things from a story written to 'inspire'... they never tell the whole truth and even if they do, it doesn't matter. Focus on you and don't worry if you're doing the 'right' thing or if you're doing something 'important'.
Click to expand...

Very nice post Odo. I completely agree with this, even if it is a bit depressing to think about.
 
NathanielWingatePeaslee

NathanielWingatePeaslee

Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn!
Staff member
lilmutegirl said:
I recently watched a video clip of a waitress who was given a bunch of great tips-$1,000, a trip to Hawaii, a car...
The reason people were so willing to do this for her was because she overcame an eating disorder and used yoga as part of her recovery, and opened her own yoga studio to help others.
Most of the people I know are extremely well-loved and experts in one or many areas.
I do not feel like I possess anything like this. I am well-liked for the most part, but I don't know that it would be to an extreme degree, where people view me as family, or anything. Also, while I know some things, I am still learning a lot at one of my jobs, so I feel inadequate to be effective.
Click to expand...
I don't understand why customers would give her such extravagant tips just because she used to be anorexic and got over it. :idontknow:

I do not know what standards you are judging yourself on concerning your affect on the world as a whole, or what it has to do with being loved for that matter. Stalin wasn't exactly well loved. On the world? Huge impact!

For myself, thinking back over the large and small things that I have done that have had an effect on the world around me...surprisingly it makes me feel pretty good. :)
 
J

jc972

1
I try to be kind and courteous to others and i respect people until i have a reason not to. I try to listen and be helpful without being an enabler. I treat others as i want them to treat me.
 
SoScared

SoScared

Well-known member
Quite a few people, and it always surprises whom seem to look up to me. My presence can be reassuring and a source of inspiration. Strange but true.
 
Kiwong

Kiwong

Well-known member
Sometimes I feel useless and valueless like I haven't lived well. I think I am a very complicated individual with some good and some ordinary parts of my life. In many ways I don't feel comfortable in my own skin, and the way I impact on the world.

I did raise some money for charity a few years back now (breast cancer research, depression). I give regular money to Australian Wildlife conservancy. I try to do my bit for the environment, using clean energy, recycling. I think I have made some positive conservation and scientific knowledge gains during my work. I've also provided help, advice and inspiration to those suffering knee pain on my blog. I do like to help others, and I think has had an overall positive impact. My photos are a good/creative thing, so is my running.

Hopefully some of this balances out the negativity of my depression and anxiety, and other elements of my personality that I am not proud of, which has made me an angry and less positive person than I would like to be.
 
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Graeme1988

Graeme1988

Hie yer hence from me heath!
Not sure, really. Ma impact on the world is probably minimal at best. :idontknow: Or ah don't think ah huv much impact on the world. Ah suppose somebuddy else'll huv a different opinion uh me.
 
Pacific_Loner

Pacific_Loner

Pirate from the North Pole
I agree with everyone who said that you don't have to do anything extraordinary to be worthy of this world. As long as you act the way you think you should act to make the world a better place, you are doing your part.
 
planetweirdo

planetweirdo

Well-known member
I have absolutely no impact on the world. there are a lot of things that I wish that I could do, like feed all the starving children in the world, but I can't. its not within my power to make any meaningful improvements to the world. :sad:
 
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