Life is a mystery, around every corner is the unknown; an unknown challenge, unknown tragedies, and unknown opportunities. Every day we are given choices to make that will affect us in either a positive or negative way, and it’s those choices that we need to make wisely. “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us” J.R.R Tolkien writes, so follow your heart and make that decision count, make your mark in life!

First, start to make an impact with the simple things in life; basic gestures and practicing random acts of kindness can make a world of a difference. Be someone others can count on as a friend, someone who is trustworthy and honest. Donate old or unneeded clothes and items to a charity, maybe even volunteer to help out at one of them and participate in community service. Help out the environment by recycling or planting flowers and trees. Pay it forward; any act of kindness from one person to you should be passed on to someone else with another act of kindness. The movie titled “Pay It Forward” about a boy trying to make the world a better place with this simple idea comes to mind, and we can do just the same. Smile or say hello to someone you pass on the street or meet during the course of your day, it might brighten theirs.

Second, don’t wait for an opportunity, make one happen. You can’t wait around for an opportunity because the chance to fulfill it might never come; no one knows what the future holds. Death or tragedy can strike suddenly at any moment without warning or reason like it did with my great uncle John David, my grandpa and his brothers and sisters never would have guessed the youngest of their siblings would die first. God has a plan for everyone and blesses us with opportunities, but we have to make the most of the time that is given to us, every second of it, and achieve those opportunities.
Third, make a positive impact in someone else’s life. To really make your mark you yourself have to leave some sort of great impact on someone else; do something big, something life changing. A great way is to go on a mission trip and help families in need, rebuild homes and buildings, help the hungry and poor. Another great way is by being a role model. Whether it be a parent, teacher, coach, or a friend, others look up to you in some way and influencing them positively, making an impact on them, that can go a long way. I see it as a chain effect much like the “pay it forward concept”, once a person is influenced in some way they will in turn influence others.

Consequently, life is filled with many opportunities, whether they are handed to you on a plate or you have to create them yourself. Make simple impacts with random acts of kindness, pay a good deed forward, or take an opportunity and turn it into something big; something that will be remembered for generations to come. It’s your choice to decide what to make of the chances you’re given, what mark will you make?