Make a Difference {1}

"I exhort you to sweep the earth with messages filled with righteousness and truth—messages that are authentic, edifying, and praiseworthy
—and literally to sweep the earth as with a flood.” —Elder David A. Bednar 

Do we have something we want the world to know? If so, have we ever stopped to consider what that might be? There are over seven billion people on the planet right now. How many of them have we crossed paths with, without even knowing?

Think about the people we pass in the streets,

sit next to on the train,

and stand next to in the grocery store.

Are we  so consumed with our own busy lives that we don't stop to consider the countless individuals we come into contact with on a daily basis? Where is he from? What's her story? Do they need help? Social anxiety is more prevalent in today's society than it has ever been in the past. How often do we miss out on opportunities of changing the lives of others just  because we were too afraid? In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." Although we live in a society of the most technologically advanced nature, we have become exceptionally antisocial. We spend more time conversing with our friends through our screens than we do face-to-face. Some might ask if this surge in social media is a blessing or a curse. To this I might add the proposition that social media is a tool to be used as we choose. What we do with it determines what impact and role it will play in our lives and in the lives of others. 

In today's technologically advanced society communicating with strangers all across the globe is not an uncommon thing. Social media has given us the ability to speak with individuals from all over the world. The real question is how are we using the amazing technology that has been given to us? Our social audience has increased by epidemic proportions and we now have the ability to influence others just through the click of a button. Are we following Elder Bednar's counsel and sweeping the earth with authentic, praiseworthy, and edifying messages? If not, what are we waiting for? Now is the time to make a difference. Now is the time to have an impact. One person CAN make a difference. Elder Bednar exhorted us to touch the lives of others. Will we accept his challenge?