Do you ever feel like you’ve got to leave your mark behind on this earth? That you can’t just live your life and leave without leaving something positive behind? By making some kind of difference in the world?
Nepal was a life-changing trip. Here I am being blessed by a 95-year-old monk in Manang, Nepal.
I’ve had these thoughts many times before. Over and over again, they play back throughout my mind. The belief that I could do something more became stronger and stronger as I grew older.
Nepalese children performing songs and dance for some spare change during the Festival of Lights.
I realized it wasn’t a career that would do it. No money or success would fulfill the simple basic need of giving back and leaving a positive footprint on this planet. Having a family was one goal that I believe strongly fits into this mold. Raising happy, healthy, productive future citizens is one of my uttermost desires and goals. Yet on a personal level, I needed something as well. Something for me yet for someone else. A footprint that would be left behind somewhere in the world.
Volunteering with underprivileged children in Guatemala.
A trace left behind that I was here in this world and doing something to make it a better place.
Such as the two reading centers I was able to fund in rural Nepal where children for generations to come will be able to learn to read. Like the lives I impacted while volunteering in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Morocco. Perhaps the child I helped immunize somewhere in the developing world by my advocacy and fundraising for global vaccines for Shot@Life. Or the words I’ve written on this blog to inspire a stranger.
I’m just one person. I’m just me. Yet I plan to be here and make a difference.
Women earning their keep by making tortillas from scratch. Guatemala.
I’m not sure yet but I’m determined. And look out, I won’t stop anytime soon. I won’t leave this earth without “being here”.
Getting henna before I left Morocco.
Check out this inspiring video sung by the talented Beyonce on World Humanitarian Day. We all can make a difference. Just think if we each did something to leave our mark, what a place this world would be.
“World Humanitarian Day” August 19, 2012
“One day, one message, one goal. To inspire people all over the world to do something good, no matter how big or small, for someone else”
Reblogged this on All About Travel.
You inspire me 🙂
Thank you! I try to keep myself inspired so glad to hear that others enjoy what I’m up to! 🙂
You are, indeed, making a difference, Nicole! You make the world a better place, my friend!
Hugs,
Kathy
Oh thanks Kathy! I try! 🙂 You and Sara do too!
What a great life you have Nicole !!!
Most of the time, life is very good! 🙂 But of course when you read about all this stuff it can get very overwhelming. I try my best to make a difference even if it is small. 🙂
Reblogged this on Best Choices Blog and commented:
Aw! I miss Nepal, my hometown. I also miss visiting the monks and being blessed by them. Thank you for bringing my memories back with these beautiful pics. FYI, I am reblogging this post of yours 🙂
Thank you so much for the comment and the reblog! I bet you miss Nepal. It is such an unbelievably beautiful country, people and landscape. I sincerely hope to return someday to visit. 🙂
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Beautiful!!!! Love the quote and I’ll try to write it down to keep it by my makeshift desk (I don’t really have one!)
You are such a great soul that when I look at your photos and trips, it all makes sense… We need more earthly angels. 🙂
Oh Eliz how can you say such kind comments? I try. I have many grumpy moments but I’m working on myself and making myself a better person. Giving back is the easiest way! 🙂 Hope I can help out as much as I can! 🙂
You’re an amazing spirit, Nicole. There is no doubt that you are leaving your mark on the world.
Oh thanks! Sometimes I wonder but I keep at it! The best part is that I’ve just begun! 🙂
As someone has alreadysaid, you are an inspiration. Much younger than I, but you are showing me the way.
Thanks Angeline! I know you are doing a lot yourself. 🙂 Keep encouraging me!
Very inspiring, I hope I will be able to make a difference as well!!
Thanks! Yes you can! We can all do something, big or small! Even making a stranger smile helps. I try to remember that when I’m grumpy that I need to stop it and give something back! 🙂
Earlier this year my friend said to me: ” The inspired are truly inspiring” after I achieved something great in my life. It’s so true. I believe so too. What a wonderful world and a wonderful post 🙂
Thanks! What did you achieve? Is your story on your blog? I am always looking for inspiration! 🙂
It was a personal achievement for me and I had a little brag about it on my Facebook page as it had set off such a wonderful chain of events in my life.
Unfortunately pre blog days but I have the “post” from my page which I have copied below:
“A year ago after a visit to a medicine woman in Bali I was inspired to change the state of my health.
Tomorrow it will be one year without a cigarette.
With the extra energy I had I invested it in my health and threw myself into training, losing 13% of my body weight so far. With the extra time I had, I taught myself how to bake ( sorry for all the bad food people ) With my new-found love of life I decided to challenge myself and face some fears, throwing myself (abseiling, relax )off not one, but three cliffs (Ok maybe one was a very small wall, but hey… ) and swam in my first ocean swim ( with the big scary sharks !!! VERY scary sharks) …and with the money I saved I visited Vietnam, zipping round the country on the back of a vespa, and also the amazing island of Boracay in the Phillipines. More to that, soon I will visit Tonga to swim with the whales, a life long dream ! WHAT A YEAR !!
Wow, what an amazing story you have! It is too bad you haven’t posted on it but you can always go back! I love doing that. How impressive and I agree that you really need to take some chances in life. What amazing things you’ve done! 🙂
Thank you 🙂
I have always had a personal motto that when everyone else asks ” why”, I ask ” why not”. The last couple of years have been about doing all those things I always either hated or thought I could never do. Its been an incredible amount of fun and very liberating,
I am sure I can find a way to incorporate that Facebook post into my blog over time. It was such a huge defining point in my life that it deserves loads of celebration !
Yes indeed! When you get that post written let me know! 🙂
Reblogged this on emmahicks76 and commented:
Absolutely loved reading this post from a wonderful blogger.
” The inspired are truly inspiring ” ( you know who you are that said this to me – it is so true ) xx
Reblogged this on The World Is a Book….
This is wonderful, Nicole. So inspiring.
Thanks! I am trying hard!
Reblogged. You have such a big heart, I’m inspired. Thank you, Nicole!
Wow, thank you Amy! That is very kind of you. I’m trying my best. The more I learn and get involved, the harder I work. It is hard as I am so busy already with the kids but it makes me feel like I’m helping others. I look forward to the next decade or two to really see what I can do! 🙂
Well said! Thanks for putting these feelings into words.
You’re welcome! I love your blog and hope to hear more about what you are doing in NYC. It is such a great city with so many opportunities! 🙂 Keep on blogging!
There is no question that the return far outweighs the investment. What a great experience and story to share with your children.
Thanks! Let’s hope! It is a lot of work volunteering. But that is where my heart is so as long as I can do it, I intend to make a difference! 🙂
Juley, from the land of Himalayas, the pure and the sanctity of the one above.
Hello! As you know, I love Nepal! I hope to come back again and do more work there and enjoy its beautiful people and culture! 🙂
What a life changing experience. Your journey to Nepal and your work inspires me. Thank you.
Thanks for your inspiration too! I find your blog extremely inspiring and love reading it! 🙂
What a lovely post, so honest and good and inspiring. Thank you. It was a delight, and so were the pictures.
Thank you so much for the kind words! 🙂 I truly appreciate it! 🙂
You are doing your thing, and inspiring others through being you! A true inspirational leader!
I know this urge for deep meaning & contribution…I put it into words recently too, “We want to dance on the stage of life, act out our unique expression and we want these actions to SERVE OTHERS!” It’s here: http://www.travelgogirl.com/2012/08/25/to-serve/
Thanks Carrie! What a cool blog and post. Thanks so much for sharing. Are you the heart and soul behind it? I’d love to learn more. I just “liked” your site on Facebook so I can learn more about what you are up to. Sounds like we have a lot in common! 🙂 Nicole
Thank you Nicole! I am a contributing writer at Go Girl. Beth (her profile is on contributor page) is the heart and soul behind it. My blog is at carrieleeferguson.com where I write on motherhood, maternal health and what is emerging in the world. Thanks for checking out my post….YES I think we have a lot in common!
Cool! Can’t wait to follow your blog!