How Do You Make a Difference Contest

This contest is closed while we determine the finalists. Stay tuned....
 

We all make a difference. We all have a gift, purpose, and reason for being here. Some of us listen more closely to the whispers of a calling than others and are more certain of their purpose but no matter the size of our action, the tiniest pebble leaves a ripple.

This site was created on the basis that when you were a little girl, you had big girl dreams and that you are meant to make a difference in your world even if that world is a small one.

Molly was 11 years old fighting cancer and she thought of other sick children at the hospital by bringing them bracelets and making them smile. Melvin greeted others in his wheelchair and broken speech despite suffering from Parkinson’s. They were mighty in what they gave to others and it is why I am writing this today.

Describe in 300 words or less how you are making a positive impact in your world. I want you to share how you are making a difference in your world, whether it be for a few or many. Maybe you raise funds for animal causes or you tutor at-risk youth. Perhaps you deliver meals for the homebound or create cards for those that are sick.

A panel of judges will choose 3 finalists. Then, an open call for votes from the community will be weighed by the judges for the final winner. If chosen, the winner will receive an inspirational bracelet with the words 'be strong and courageous", a lilac headband with the word "courage", a handstamped "dream" keychain, and an Artful Rising prompted journal.


This is a contest of skill. No purchase is necessary to win nor will any purchase increase chance of winning. In order to participate, (1) you must be a resident of the U.S. or Canada, (2) be either a follower of the My Purpose My World blog, a subscriber to the newsletter, OR receive updates to your email. If you do one of the last two then include which email address you use for the service, and (3) enter below with your essay (in the comments section).

Contest begins June 13 and ends June 20 at 9:00 am Central. Three finalists will be chosen and revealed by June 29.  We will then open up community voting. These will then be weighed by the judges but will not determine the winner solely. This is to ensure that the winner will be one chosen by their skill and not computer manipulation.

Enter below and be acknowledged for the great things you are doing for others. And thank you for living your purpose.

I am linking up with Jenny Matlock for the letter D.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

What an amazing contest!!!! Love the concept:)

Anonymous said...

This is a great idea for a contest. Nice to make people think about how they make a difference.

Jim said...

A neat contest, Erika. Just what one needs to lift them up out of doldrums. My main difference would be to the residents of our local assisted living and Alzheimer patients home.

Adi, our beagle, and I would visit the residents several times a month. They would generally tell us about the dogs they used to have when they were at their own homes.

Thank you for peeking in on my Thursday "D" Day.
Jim's Alphabe-Thursday
..

Jo said...

What a wonderful contest!

Memories for Life said...

Great idea for a contest Erika :) I like that it is based on skill and not luck :)

storybeader said...

sounds like a wonderful contest. Get people thinking, too! {:-D

Unknown said...

This really sounds like a great contest!

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

Great idea!

mrs. c said...

There are so many heroes in our world, sometimes it's hard to "toot your own horn" but this contest provides that opportunity!

storybeader said...

When I first saw this topic, I thought it wasn't for me. How do I make a difference? But then I thought about what I do for a living (a museum archivist/curator) and how I've helped so many people throughout my career. I've help people find family members, find photographs of their relatives, learn about lost relatives through court records and newspapers. I had my answer. I've made a difference in a lot of individuals' personal lives by bringing family together.

Then I've taught many individuals how they should handle their own papers and photographs, so they will last longer and stay in the best shape possible. Something I do at work everyday. What products to use and where to get them. The dos and don'ts that every museum archivist knows deep down in their soul.

So, that you, Erika, for making me think about the small things I do everyday, and how I help others.

Cheryl D. said...

Nice idea!

anitamombanita said...

What a great idea!! It'll be fun and inspiring to read what people are doing.

Judy Nolan said...

We often hear about the uninhibited creativity of young people. In fact, if you ask a five-year-old if she considers herself to be creative, she will most likely say yes. By the time this same person reaches high school age, the yes turns into no. Creativity is not unique to artists or architects, engineers or inventors. It can be taught and nurtured, encouraged and practiced. Because I believe this strongly, I have been volunteering for 12+ years for the Destination Imagination program, whose purpose is to promote creativity, problem-solving and teamwork among young people from kindergarten through university age. My son got involved first, and I managed his team. When he moved on to other activities, I became involved at the state Board level as a training director, and later as an appraiser (judge) at the international level. I have written practice challenges for the state program, and training materials for the international program. By volunteering for this program, I hope to change a high schooler's "No, I'm not creative" into a "Yes, I practice being creative every day."

Kathleen said...

Challenging question!
I thought of emails to friends, cards to elderly relatives, art projects with my granddaughters, and other simple things that I do. They don’t seem earth shattering enough to be included in a list that makes a positive impact in the world. But these little things do make a positive impact on me. They open my eyes to the simple things that we can do for others that will make a positive impact in their little world.
I began to encourage others to look for similar opportunities and then take action. I learned the power of the spoken word.
I hated animal cruelty. I told people.
Joni and Friends taught me about the difficulties disabled people face worldwide. I spoke out.
Mom had dementia. I suddenly knew firsthand the plight of many elderly people. I shared what I knew with others.
I saw the pain some of my post-abortive friends carried for years and years. I began to encourage others to be pro-life.
Voice of the Martyrs showed me what it would be like to be persecuted my faith. I began to speak out for those who are persecuted for their faith.
After Sophia was adopted, I found out a lot of things that I didn’t want to know about adoption. So I added being an advocate for adoption to my conception-through-natural-death pro-life advocacy.
The weight of the world settled on my shoulders, and I shook it off in prayer at the feet of Jesus. Comfort and courage that I do not possess snuck in around the edges of my life. I continued to speak out.
Next thing I knew, I was an advocate sharing my views through artwork, blogging, and facebook – and hopefully encouraging others to make an impact in their little corner of the world, too!

Memories for Life said...

I make a difference by helping people preserve their memories :) Whether it is though a scrapbook they can look back on years later or by designing and creating items for their "big day" to be kept forever.
The most special items I've created are for those that have had loved ones pass away. I have created scrapbooks, pendants and ornaments to help preserve these memories :)

Jenny said...

What a delightfully thought provoking link to the letter "D".

I just try to make a difference by living my life every day in a positive way.

For the past 12 years, I have also embraced the philosophy of giving an unexpected compliment to someone every single day. If I'm not out and about and able to do it with total strangers, I generally call a friend or a member of my family!

Thanks for linking up!

I really enjoyed what you had to share here!

A+