What Does “Making a Difference” Really Mean? (TheReb)

True worth is in being, not seeming,— 
In doing, each day that goes by, 
Some little good—not in dreaming
Of great things to do by and by. 
For whatever men say in their blindness,
And spite of the fancies of youth, 

There’s nothing so kingly as kindness,
And nothing so royal as truth.

-Alice Cary

“I just want to make a difference.” My friend and I were deep in conversation. As we talked about our goals for the future, the topic of “making a difference” came up. I thought it was a selfless goal, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I didn’t really understand what the phrase meant.

When I thought of people making a difference, I thought of missionaries, bestselling authors, and CEOs of non-profits. When I recognized the large-scale impact of all of these positions, I wondered if my hunger to “make a difference” was really another way of hoping for fame. Consequently, I wondered if my goals were very selfless after all.