You-Do-Make-A-Difference.com

ABOUT ME

There's not much to say, really. I am not a prophet or preacher or visionary. I am not a guru. I am NOT a saint or savior. I am just a regular guy with a vision of how things can, and probably should, be.

I am Neil Shattles, a refugee from the work-a-day world, who possesses a love of people, an ability to put my thoughts into words, a keen insight into what makes people who they are, and a desire to change his world for the better.

As I became older and more aware, I realized that very few people are really happy with the world the way it is, especially with man's inhumanity to man. God made us with an innate sense of right and wrong, and at the same time a deep longing to know that we're here for some real purpose.

I realized, too, that the world's problems are so overwhelming that many folks are... well, overwhelmed. With no small sense of resignation, we may say,

"What can one person like me really do to make a difference?"

To which I say:

"A lot more than you probably realize."

You're reading this because I just believe that you want to do so much more than just exist or slide by. With a little encouragement, and given a sense and a glimpse of our unlimited purpose and destiny, I see folks perk up, and say,

"You mean that I can really make a difference"?

Well, in a word - YES!

I realized a long time ago that a lot of things affect how we think and react, and not all of them for the better. We tend to get in a lifestyle "rut." I realized that a lot of what we do and think routinely we just might do differently if we'd simply ask ourselves the question:

"What would I want him (or her) to do toward me if I were he and he were me?"

You'll notice that's nothing more or less than the Golden Rule.

Here's something I have learned and I'd like for you to ponder:

The Golden Rule Still Works!

I see it working every day.

And so my beliefs and my lifestyle are shaped by these:

Believing and practicing the Golden Rule may be the one most significant thing we can collectively do, little-by-little, to right the wrongs in the world.

Most folks would genuinely like to make a positive difference in the world, if armed with just a little "nudge," a little encouragement, and a little know-how.

How we act toward others is much more powerful and influential than anything we might simply say.

All meaningful change comes from within.

It's never too late to start.

I believe that the way we think and act are shaped largely by our environment and by habit and tradition more than we may even realize or want to admit. Corporate America tells us to "think outside the box," which isn't such a bad idea. But corporations have agendas other than people. Ours can be more noble.

SO -- If I can help cause people to think, reflect, question their attitudes, actions and prejudices and seek some positive changes, I will have succeeded.

Heck, that's why I created "Neil's YDMAD E-zine" (aka, the "You Do Make A Diiference E-zine."

POSTLOG
It's so much more about doing than just feeling. With God's help, we can move incrementally closer to His ideals of actions and attitudes for us. Whether or not you believe in God, you must admit His attributes, and the ideals attributed to Him, work a whole lot better than our own version does. I believe we simply aim much too low. We are capable of so much better.

Let's "Aim High," and not just "settle."

I say this unapologetically:
Just maybe He is your best starting point.