William James wrote “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does“. I typically use a lot of words when I speak and when I write. I am much more Steinbeck than Hemingway. There are times when someone writes or speaks with just a few words that really speaks volumes. William James’ quotes is one of those times.
Tiny things we do or say may seem inconsequential to us at the time. Yet those moments may mean so much to others. I believe we instinctively know that. I believe our lives are proof of that. I believe our blogs are living proof of that as well. We do make a difference. I know I learn amazing things reading people’s blogs. I grow and add dimension to my thoughts and heart, to my prayers, hopes, and dreams—just from reading what you have to say and what you comment.
The challenges of life sometimes are like fast moving rapids. We get a little queasy and frightened when the waters move fast and the obstacles seem huge. But we make it through. Act as if you have courage’ know that God will see you through it all. So maybe the big rocks in the photo below are not obstacles at all. Maybe they are stepping stones to help us cross the river. I know, upon reflection, that there are many, many people that have and continue to be stepping stones, oases, that help me through the rough waters. And the things they do make a difference. The things we each do make such a difference. I hope you know today, that as you write (whether blog or comments)—your words reach people. It matters. You matter. Your thoughts, words, photos, creations, they matter. They matter deeply.
We share our lives, we share our joys and sorrows, we share our triumphs and tragedies. What we do make a difference. I am grateful to engineers and computer gurus who have made so much of this possible. Today I was thinking about all of this. We had friends in from out of town. We decided to go see Taliesin West. That was where Frank Lloyd Wright established his school of architecture decades ago.
Talk about making difference….oh my…. I will post some things and photos tomorrow from my tour of the place. Let’s just say environmental architecture is not at all a recent development. by the same token, the words we speak and write today will have impact long after we gone. Keep communicating. …Frank Lloyd Wright said “The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes“. Oh Amen…life is beautiful; so much beauty and inspiration surrounds me each day….
Believe Anyway 
Thank you for your words of wisdom….I’ve had a few hours of self doubt/discouragement this evening…your words soothe and reassure…thank you….Kathy
Kathy—I am sorry you were having those feelings of self-doubt and discouragement. That really ways the spirits down, doesn’t it. I am glad my simple words were able to make you feel better. Have a blessed day and evening.–kate
Great thoughts Kate. Always good to know we make a difference! God Bless!
Thanks, Mike. God bless you, too.
I really like your words of affirmation and encouragement today, Kate. It makes me think to be “cautious” and “prayed up”–and it helps when the enemy wants to kick me down, tempt me to delete my blog. But maybe he’s got the message now, because my repeated refrain is, “THAT’S not gonna happen” (until, and IF, God directs me that way). Have a blessed evening, and tomorrow too!!! love, sis Caddo
Thanks, Caddo….we have to hang tough for God and be prepared for battle at all times. Have a blessed day and evening, too—love back to you, sis Kate
Your words always perk me up!
Thanks, Amy Elizabeth; love your words, photos, poems too…
Great quote!
Thanks!!! quotes keep me focused in so many ways.
John Steinbeck changed our lifestyle, I’m sure!
He surely did. Gosh I loved his books. They were so inspiring….Grapes of Wrath is still one of the best books I ever read…
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
~Maya Angelou
Toni–that is one of my favorite Maya Angelou quotes ever. I can literally hear her voice saying it when I read it…it is one of those quotes that makes me sit up straighter, if you catch my drift.
Kate, thank you for your written words. Your blog is so encouraging. I always come away with new inspiration. I am so glad I started my blog two and a half months ago. I’ve met wonderful people like you. I have learned to prayfully consider every word I write and hope it does not cause offence to any.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
When I read your blog it is impossible for me to believe you have only been doing it for two and a half months. You are so good at it! You must have been blogging mentally for years. Your words always uplift and never offend. You are a prayerful, faith-filled example.
Wonderful quote…and thank you for your many ‘Steinbeckian’ words…always inspiring! We DO need to be all that we can be, doing all for God’s glory. Thank you also for sharing Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture —-breathtaking. He’s one of my all-time favorites in architecture —- smooth clean line. I look forward to the other photos.
Thanks, Susan. The man on our tour was so informative!! I love his architecture, too. I am working on getting the pictures uploaded and cropped a bit. Have loved Frank Lloyd Wright ever since we moved to Chicago when I was in HS. Although he had been dead for at least a decade, he was all the rage; and architecture, architects, and architectural firms were the hot shots in Chicago at the time.
Kate–so true and so hard to really “get” some days. Thanks for the encouragement!
Thanks Madeline–and thanks for commenting. I have missed you–hope all is ok with you.
You never when or where your presence can help someone…and not even know it. Great post!
Thanks, Cee—we most definitely can say that about your posts, blogs, photos, etc. You are a continual inspiration.
One word can touch millions, giving hope. Always hope.
Amen to that….and with the tiniest bit of hope, we can get back up to fight or dance again.
I’m blogging about hope right now. Thanks for the inspiration.
Your words are food for thought; it is a blessing to be able to share our thoughts within this community. Thanks!
It is a blessing to read your thoughts as well, Marcia!
You inspire me. We so often forget that the world is so much bigger than just our own little selves. You’re right. What we do, say, and write makes a difference to someone. That’s hard to remember sometimes, but I’ll try. 🙂
Terri—you inspire me too…and believe me, from reading your blog, you DO write as if your words make a difference to someone—and they do. Blessings to you today—kate
You got me with the first line, quote: William James wrote “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does“.
I came home from Bible study last night to find your comment on my blog and of course I had to check out who posted it, so glad I did. Earlier in the evening we were talking about how we effect others around us all the time and we may never know the outcome of how we do. And then I read your post, God is always so timely and it always amazes me.
Glad to meet you Kate!
I love when that happens….Glad to meet you, too!! Jesus was our example of that, wasn’t He? Thanks for your comment; it means so much.
Words are power!! 🙂
I know—with a few words we can restore or destroy, …i am so happy to have found so many wonderfully uplifting people.