5 ways to leave your fingerprints on the world

Voted most likely to end up
On the back of a milk box drink
Looks like I'm letting 'em down
'Cause seven seventy-five isn't worth
An hour of my hard work and time
When you can't afford half the shit they advertise

Oh, I'm worth more then that
More than the toe-tag generation full of regret
Oh, I won't settle, no, oh, I can't settle

I wanna break the mold
I wanna break the stereotype
Fist in the air
I'm not going down without a fight
It's my life and I'm not sitting
On the sidelines watching it pass me by
I'm leaving you my legacy
I gotta make my mark
I gotta run it hard
I want you to remember me
I'm leaving my fingerprints
I'm leaving my fingerprints
I'm leaving my fingerprints on you

Representing you and me
Don't you wanna go down in history?
Rather then end up begging on the streets
Trading under table favors for a place to sleep

'Cause I'm worth more than this
So stop writing prescriptions
For more Ritalin
I can focus my attention

Don't give up, don't give in
Build your house on the rock
Oh, not in the sand, in the sand
In the sand, in the sand

It's my life and I'm not sitting
On the sidelines watching it pass me by
I'm leaving you my legacy
I, I gotta make my mark, I gotta run it hard
I want you to remember me.

If you're like most of us you want to leave your mark on the world. One of my favorite songs these days is Katy Perry's "Fingerprints." Not only is it an incredibly upbeat, fun-to-listen-to song, but the lyrics inspire me and encourage me to think about the impression I want to leave on this world. Most of you are probably well aware of the fact that we have one life to live and we better do the best we can with it. When I was a kid I wanted to be famous. I really believed that being famous was the best way to have people remember you, to leave a mark on a world that would outlast the years I was alive. However, the older I get, the more I realize that (1) this probably isn't going to happen, (2) just because your famous doesn't mean you'll really be remembered, and (3) being famous doesn't mean being a good person and doing good things with your life. As most adults have come to realize (or, at least, I hope they have), fame and fortune isn't everything. It might be nice, but only if you choose to do nice things with it. As much as I think I would enjoy being famous -- sitting on Oprah's couch chatting about my latest and greatest novel that's helping people to live better lives -- I know I would still be me, a small speck in the great universe. No matter how famous you are, no matter what you do, you are still a person. We are all, in essence, the same. To quote Dr. Seuss in Horton Hears a Who: "a person's a person no matter how small."  And, famous or not, we all have the power to make a difference in the world, to leave a mark (no matter how small).

So, this weekend I got to thinking about how I can make a mark on this world. Sure, I'm still going to work towards writing a book that makes a difference in the lives of others. Sure, I'm still going to dream that someday I'll be a household name. But, for now, I'm me. Just Dani. And even though I'm small (in both the fame and the literal sense), I believe I can make a difference in the world. I can -- we all can -- leave our fingerprints on the world. You're sitting there, reading this, and thinking to yourself, "How can I make a difference? What can I really do that will change the world?" Well, I'm about to give you five ways to leave your mark on the world. They might seem small, but they are important. And, of course, these aren't the only five ways you can make a difference. They are just jumping off points, ways to get the wheels in your mind turning so that you can think more about how you want to live. What kinds of fingerprints do you want to leave behind?

 

5 Ways To Leave Your Mark

1. Do What You Love. In my opinion, when we're doing what we love, we're doing something well. No matter what you think your skills are in a certain area, if you are doing it because you love to do it, it's going to show in your work. People can tell that you love something and it is reflected in what you are doing. If we are only given one life, we should be living it to the best of our abilities and I really believe that your best abilities come out when you're doing something that makes you happy, that leaves you feeling fulfilled. Whether you receive international recognition or not, the joy you're experiencing when you do what you love will rub off on those around you. You will bring a great deal to the world by embracing the truth of who you are and doing what it is that makes you most happy. It might seem selfish, but doing what you love really can impact the world in a positive way.  
   
   
   
2. Spread Happiness. This is something we can do every single day. You have the ability to be happy and to make others happy. Of course this isn't always easy, but it's a very real option and something that doesn't require money or fame. Smile at someone. Offer a word of hope. Give someone a hug. Any little small thing you can do can make a difference. Right now I am reading The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach To Getting the Life You Want and I just read about how the author offered $1.15 to someone who didn't have enough at the line in the grocery store. She then saw this young man helping a woman in a wheelchair with her groceries. Happiness and kindness are contagious. Perform kind acts whenever you can and they will have a ripple effect. Every smile has the power to change the world.
   
   
   
3. Encourage Others. While I'm all about believing in yourself and doing anything you can to make your own dreams come true, one way to really make a mark is to encourage someone else's dreams. By being supportive and encouraging of others, you are making a difference not only in their world but potentially in the world of others. For example, I've been fortunate enough to have many, many supportive people in my life. My parents, teachers, friends have always supported me and encouraged me. Because of this, I want to support and encourage others and I hope that when I encourage other people that they then want to encourage people as well. Like acts of kindness, encouragement can have a ripple effect. And who knows? You could be encouraging the next great inventor or novelist or president...
   
   
   
4. Love The World. I'll save the lecture about saving the environment for another time, but I do want to mention that treating the world with kindness and love is a great way to make an impact on future generations. You may not be written about in a history book or watched on old re-runs, but if you do your best to protect the environment, you are making a difference in the lives of those who will walk this earth long after you're gone. We're not all going to be environmentalists, but take some time to think about your earthly fingerprints. What can you do to make the world a cleaner, happier place? Small things (like picking up a piece of trash) can be just as important as big things. If you can afford to get a hybrid car or a solar-powered house, think about the little things you can do. As I'm sure you know,  a lot of little things add up to a BIG difference.
   
   
   
5. Share Your Words. Okay, so you might not be the world's best storyteller, but that doesn't mean you can't share yourself with the world. You don't have to write a novel or publish a biography to divulge your years of wisdom. You can share what you know with those around you. Share your experiences with those around you. Tell stories. If you have kids or interact with kids, tell them what you know. They may not seem to care (or appear like they're listening), but your words will have an impact. I remember so many words of wisdom my parents or friends have shared with me. I remember their words and I try to learn from their stories. I also share what I know with others, and, for the most part, people seem to appreciate this. People like to learn and they can learn from you. Yes, you!

These are only five ways that you can leave your fingerprints on the world. What's important to realize is that so much of what we do -- from a smile to a word to an elaborate gesture -- has an impact on the world around us. Without knowing it, we are influencing people who are influencing people who are influencing people. And, with all of the latest technology, we have even more ways to impact people. It's truly amazing what we have the ability to do. We don't have to be rock stars or billionaires or actors to leave a mark on the world. We can leave our fingerprints everywhere, on everything. The question then becomes: where are you leaving your fingerprints?

[Note: If you're not sick of reading the words of Dani, check out Shades of Crimson, a totally awesome and inspiring website where I'm honored to have a guest post today. In my post, "Three Shades of Happiness", I write about what it means to have a pleasant life, an engaged life, and a meaningful life. Check it out over at Shades of Crimson to learn more!]

Comments

[Jodi at Joy Discovered]

Hi Dani, great post! I agree with every point. I think we should all be striving to leave our fingerprints on the world. In small ways, we all are all the time, the rub is to strive to do it consciously!

[Positively Present]

Jodi - Thank you! :) It's important to remember that small things can make a big difference.

[Diana]

What a great post and I think this is so true for myself. When I was in high school and even college I wanted to be like Oprah. I love to write as well and dreamed of writing famous books and talking on TV. I still think about writing books or writing something that will get people knowing who I am and I think blogging has helped put my start on the world and give me confidence that I can do this. I dont want to be Oprah any more though...I want to be me and love being me. I love the quote from Dr. Seuss "A person's a person no matter how small." Right now I love being me and I love doing what Im doing and I love sharing it with the world in hopes that I can reach out and help someone...even if it's during their wedding! Congrats on being a guest blogger I will check out the link...have a great day!

[Positively Present]

Diana - I'm so glad you liked the post and could relate to it. That Dr. Seuss quote is one of my favorites (in fact, I even have a T-shirt with that quote on it!) because it reminds me that we all have value. You don't have to be a big, famous celebrity to make a difference in the world. Being who you are is one of the most important things we can do for the world and it's so great to hear that you love being you!

[alex - unleash reality]

katy perry... sigh :)

the first way to leave your mark is by faaaar the most important to me. the others all follow when you do what you love. the happiness is spread, you encourage others, you love the world and you're sharing your words, even if just through being an example. SOOOO key. thought about it a lot when i was writing my "get excited" post - about how doing what you love, getting excited about it and immersing yourself in life is contageous, and makes a difference in the world.

Number 4 also chimed a very special bell. don't need to be an environmentalist or in the history books. that's just statistical anomoly (you don't see the ones who didn't do those things because only a few people did those things)... but it doesn't have to be a big thing. rather get up right now and rumage through your old stuff and go give it to some homeless person on the side of the street. it's easy to not do things because we think they have to be huge. they don't.

really cool post dani
thank you

stumbled
alex - unleash reality

[Jill]

Awesome post Dani. I'm going to put this somewhere that I can see it daily as a reminder of how simple it can be. Thank you.

[Tess The Bold LIfe]

I amazed at how many finger prints my father left on the world. With 10 children and 36 grand children and ? great grand children he left a zillion marks that aren't even printed yet.

I think we can leave a mark with a thought, action, word etc and none is too big or small and none is comparable with the other especially if they are positive.

Maybe the question should be what kind of mark are you leaving on the world?

[Nadia - Happy Lotus]

Great post, Dani. I think that the best way a person can leave a mark on the world is to be the best person that they can be. Each one of us has talents and skills which should be honed and perfected. Many times people want to leave a mark because of insecurity or because that is what their ego wants. Those that left marks in the world did so by simply being very good at what they were good at whether it is via writing or simply by being a wonderful mother. We all have the ability to leave a mark.

[Veronica]

On the environment - we should all be concerned how we're NOT leaving our fingerprint! The little things that we do can help - it's not an overwhelming undertaking. Switch to energy efficient light bulbs - they last longer anyway. Turn your lights off when you're not in a room. Turn your heat or air conditioning down a notch or two. Use the energy efficient settings on your appliances. Little things can add up to a lot, people!

You touched on it in the last point, but being a positive influence for a child initiates a lifetime of fingerprinting. Ideally, that child will carry your goodness or lesson on to their adult life and in turn pass it on to those around them. Be a Big Brother or Big Sister, donate money to send a kid to summer camp, volunteer to speak at your local elementary school to talk about making a difference, read to children, etc. Again, if we all did the little things, a BIG difference would be made.

Of course, another great post.

Veronica
www.drrussbuss.com

[Srinivas Rao]

Dani, thanks for sharing this. I think you are already on your way to leave your fingerprints on the word with your blog :). I guess to some degree that was what motivated me to start my blog. I'm gonna have to download that song since the lyrics seem great.

[Peggy (aka Tool Box Girl)]

Dani,

As always, another fabulous post! I just wrote today about Following Your Bliss - and how following mine is about leaving my finger prints to the world. And for me, it's about Teaching through my experiences - and if I can shorten the learning curves of others, then in following my bliss, my happiness is powers up to the nth degree. I love watching others have their light bulb moments!

I've been furiously writing a series of acticles based on the principles of self-betrayal and self-deception (check out The Arbinger Institute) and how when we search for differences we remain in conflict. My articles are specifically geared towards stepmoms, but apply in every aspect of life...you might want to check them out...http://thestepmomstoolbox.com...because these are concepts that stop us from following our bliss and our happiness.

[Positively Present]

Alex - I agree that the first one is the most important. If you're doing what you love, you're probably more likely to do all of the other things I mentioned because you'll be living a more fulfilled life. Really enjoyed your post today about getting excited! Thanks for the stumble. :)

Jill - So glad you liked it. That's a great idea and I think I need to do the same!

Tess - Great question you posed in your comment. We are always leaving marks everywhere we go and we must remember this and ask ourselves what kind of mark we want to be leaving on the world. Even the little things we do -- a word, a hug, a smile -- can have a big impact on the world.

Veronica - You left some great ideas in your comment. You're right about the fingerprint on the world. We should be working to leave LESS of a mark by taking care of the environment the best way that we can. I also agree that we can have a profound impact on the lives of children (which is why it's especially important to consider how we act and what we say when we are around them). Thanks for the great ideas!

Nadia - This is a great point. People should focus on being the best they can be at whatever they are good at. This is a great way to make an impression on the world and everyone has the ability to do this.

Srinivas - Thank you! :) Blogging is definitely a great way for me to do what I love, encourage others, spread happiness, and share my words (and, I guess, since it's paperless it's good for the environment too!). Definitely check out the song. It's a good one!

Peggy - Following our bliss is so important and it's a great way to leave our fingerprints on the world. Your articles sound very interesting and I will definitely check them out!

[Ia]

Yet another great post, Dani! I always wanted to do some kind of 'famous' career, now I know that I don't need to do something that will get me famous to be remembered. Every person that you interact with will remember you in some small way, so in that way I'd suppose we're all already famous (or infamous). I also popped over and read your guest post on the shades of happiness. You make an excellent point there, too! I spent a lot of my life living in the Pleasant Life, not the best existence it's only recent that I began to move forward, now I'm floating in the Engaged Life (but sometimes I do get detached), and am currently trying to figure out my strengths and how to use them. Thank you for such wonderful words!

[Tom Volkar / Delightful Work]

Beautiful! Encouragement is such a valuable gift. We can never know the full impact of encouraging another. I'm sure you lift others often.

[Positively Present]

Ia - Thanks for all of your support. Visiting both sites and reading both posts means a lot to me! You make a good point about how we are all famous in little ways, leaving a bit our ourselves with everyone we interact with.

Tom - You're right. Encouragement is such a great way to give back to the world. Not only does it help others, but it makes you feel good too!

[J.D. Meier]

Horton hears a who is one of my favorites! Dr. Seuss really had a way with stories and words.

I consistently remind myself that the grass isn't always greener and that the more you make the most of what you've got, right where you are, the more true that becomes. I always work on me first, since wherever I go, there I am.

Happiness is definitely a skill. How ironic, I haven't read the How of Happiness yet, but Sonja emailed me the other day and I'm a fan of her work. She truly brings real results to skilled happiness.

I think everybody has lessons to share. I look to lessons wherever I can, and I share whatever I learn. We're all on this trip together so I figure we enjoy it more if we got the skills rather than just dumb luck or fate.

[Positively Present]

J.D. - Horton Hears a Who is a great one, isn't it? You've shared some great insights in your comment. I really believe that doing the best we can and living up to our greatest potentials are the best ways we can give back to the world. That's SO cool that Sonja emailed you. I love her book! It's amazing and it's really making a big difference in my life right now!

[Shannanigans]

Gotta love Dr. Seuss

I think the older we get, the more we start to wonder about our legacy. It is scary to think that only years after we are gone, it is entirely possible that no one will remember us. I do some of the things on your list, and one that I blogged about which is "Live your truth". That one is so important to me because I want to leave this world knowing that I lived my life my way, with integrity, wisdom and dignity and "I did it my way"

[Positively Present]

Shannanigans - You've made some excellent points in your comment. I love the ideas of "living your truth" and knowing that "I did it my way." Those are great ways to think about life and leaving our fingerprints on the world.

[Chris Edgar]

Thanks for this. I think noticing that, even with the energy we're projecting around others, we're influencing people, puts fears we might experience around being "insignificant" in perspective.

[suzen]

What a beautiful post Dani! I like the idea of fingerprints - a nice take on what fingerprints are usually used for (identifying criminals) or to help finding lost children. It makes me reflect back on the fingerprints I've found along my path that have inspired me and this encourages me to keep that going, leave my own.

Thanks - as always - for a blazingly astute post!

[Hayden Tompkins]

I really like that you added "encouraging others". It can be often overlooked but, I think, really REALLY important. If we are 'self' based it can be frustrating to see others succeed where we wish to. If we are 'truth' or 'love' based, however, we can truly be happy for all good things whether they happen to us or not.

Love love love the article!

[Positively Present]

Chris - You've made a great point about the energy. Even without doing anything we're influencing people.

Suzen - So glad you liked it! :) That's a great point about fingerprints. They're usually used in a negative way, but they can actually be a positive thing.

Hayden - Thank you! I'm glad that you liked it! It's definitely important to encourage others. It makes them feel good and it makes you feel good too. What could be better than that?!

[Syd]

Great post. I like all the things that you mentioned and do my best to make a difference in my life and the lives of others.

[Chania Girl]

I really enjoyed this post, Dani, most especially "Do what you love" and "Encourage others." I am still learning both as I try to discern what I truly love and as I begin to practice what I realized one day: that my neighbour's wealth does not mean my poverty. I think you do a marvelous job with your blog of encouraging others; I know you have encouraged me, not only here but in the comments you so steadily leave on posts of my own. Thank you for what you're doing and writing. For being Dani.

[Giovanna Garcia]

Hi Dani,

I love the meaning of this post and I like all 5 of the ways to leave my mark on the world. Personally, my favorite is #1 Do what you love, is the best thing anyone can do with one's life. When I do what I love, I have the most passion and that spread more happiness around everyone. I have more joy to give and can help more people.
Thanks for sharing.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action

[Davina]

Hi Dani. Recently I've found myself striking up conversations with strangers in line at the grocery store and with the cashier too. So often the cashier is busy and robotic-like trying to move people through the line quickly. I like to make a joke to put a smile on their face. It's easy to view these people as objects as they do their job behind that counter, when they are just people trying to earn a living. A smile is encouraging.

Doing what you love really can impact the world in a positive way -- big time. When you are happy and sending out those positive vibes, you aren't sending out negative vibes.

[Mark Foo]

Hi Dani,

I like the simplicity of your advice on how to leave your mark in the world. More often than not, people tend to think that they have to do something big in order to leave their mark or make a difference. But the truth is, we're all unique in our own way and we're all capable of leaving our mark as long as we set our heart to do so.

Cheers~

Mark

[Positively Present]

Syd - Thanks! I'm glad you liked my ideas. You're definitely making a difference in the world with your blog. You're dealing with such an important topic and your posts really inspire me so thank you for doing what you do.

Chania Girl - You're welcome! :) You make a great point in your comment about your neighbors' wealth vs. your poverty. There is plenty of happiness and success to go around in the world. Just because someone else is successful or happy doesn't mean that we can't be as well. That's a really great point and something to keep in mind when encouraging others.

[Lance]

Hi Dani,
I love this! Here's to leaving our fingerprints out there, and fingerprints that uplift! You are doing this, Dani, in so many wonderful ways!

And the thing is, we'll never fully know the reach of our fingerprints, and I think that's a pretty awesome thought! We have the ability to make a lasting impact on someone we may never meet, just by some good works we've done! That thought right there makes me really want to a spreader of good in our world today!

You are, my friend...

[Positively Present]

Giovanna - I agree. When you're doing what you love, you're expressing yourself in a way that spreads that love and your passions and abilities to the world. Unforunately not everyone feels like they love to do something, and often we forget that some things -- being a good friend, raising your children with care -- are true talents and should be embraced the same way any other skill might be.

Davina - That's great! It's little things like that that make a BIG difference. For example, if I'm in line at the store and the cashier is cheerful and friendly, doesn't that make a huge difference in your experience? I can also think of specific situations in which random people have talked to me. While I'll admit that sometimes I feel a little awkward, I ultimately leave the situation feeling happier (and probably go on to spread that happiness to others without even realizing why). Sending out positivity any way we can -- through a smile, through doing what we love, through encouraging others, among many other things -- is one of the greatest (and simplest!) ways to make a big difference in the world.

Mark - So true. It really seems to me that so many of us (the old me included) feel like we have to do some huge, grand thing to be remembered, but that's just not true. Everything we do impacts the world and it's important to make those things positive rather than negative.

[Hilary]

Hi Dani .. fingerprints .. we leave them as kids with our parents - pictures on the fridge, scanned and sent to grandparents across the waves, or oceans .. we put ours in concrete .. left in the mists of time miles away!

As you all say - leave our mark, our smiling mark, our passionate mark, our love .. leave our fingerprints in the air for others to follow.

Thanks Dani .. enlightening fingerprinted post -
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters

[BunnygotBlog]

Dani-

Your are a delight.
I love what you write,straight from the heart.These are all very important facts we should life by.

Keep up the fantastic job!

[Positively Present]

Lance - Thank you for your comment! It made me very happy to read your kind words. :) I love what you said about not knowing the reach of our fingerprints. It's so true. You never know how one little thing can have a ripple effect and affect so many other people.

Hilary - Glad to hear you enjoyed the post! :) It's so true that we use fingerprints as a metaphor in so many ways and we can leave these fingerprints on the lives of others everywhere we go.

Bunny - Thanks so much! :) I do the best I can to get my messages out there and it's so nice to know that they're well received.

[Mark]

Excellent advice! We can do so much when we operate from love!

[Kaushik]

Hey Dani,

Great points, and loving what we do is probably the most important. It is important for many to leave their mark. For, me, after decades of depression, this good happy living is perfectly fine, and having found true inspiration is just an unexpected bonus!

[Diggy-Upgradereality.com]

Heya:))))
Great Post, I actually don't remember this song at all, first I thought it was a poem. Ill go youtube it now.

I found this quote a while ago and I like it a lot:

"Not only will you die, but the sun will eventually burn out, thus destroying any legacy that you left behind, and any "point" that there was to your life whatsoever. "

Being remembered is very ego driven I think.
I think its better to aimm to make a difference, and by succeeding to make a difference you will automatically make a difference.

Take Michael Jackson for instance. Is he remembered because he was famous, or is he remembered because he made such a difference in so many peoples lives with his music, by giving them joy and happiness and excitement with his music and dancing.:)

I totally share your view of wanting to make a difference in this world, even if it is with baby steps at a time:)

Have an awesome day!

[Positively Present]

Mark - Absolutely! When we're working from a place of love, compassion, and understanding we have the ability to change the world, little act by little act.

Kaushik - I agree that doing what you love is SO important. It's not always easy, but if there is a way to do what you love, that is the best way to live your life. You make a great point about happiness too. Just being happy not only changes your life but the lives of those around you too!

Diggy - You're completely right in saying that wanting to be remembered is ego-driven. That's completely true and really has nothing to do with actually making a difference in the world. We all have the power to make a difference and, in fact, we're all making a difference without necessarily trying. Thanks for sharing that quote. It's a good one!

[Lori]

I do what I love and love what I do. I'm a teacher and, as such, spend my days learning from my students. I don't know if anything I try to teach will ever stick, but I hope that the joy with which I do it will make a lasting impression on someone--even if it's only for that one moment in time.

[Barbara Swafford]

Hi Dani,

These are all great ways we can leave a mark on the world. I was smiling as I read the last one - "share your words". How perfect for us bloggers. :)

[Evelyn Lim]

The image of the gloved hand of Michael Jackson came up when I saw your post title. Yes, I feel drawn to the idea of leaving an inspiring impression on the world. It will be nice to leave a good one after I leave. Most definitely, impacting the world in the most beautiful way is a purpose to live for.

[Positively Present]

Lori - That's so great that you love what you do! Being a teacher is SUCH an important job and you're making a huge impact on the world just by doing what you love, which is awesome! :)

Barbara - Yes, sharing our words is great for bloggers like us. I love writing (and talking) so it's a great way for me to leave my mark.

Evelyn - So interesting that that's the image that came to mind! Like you, I'd love to leave a good, lasting impression on the world but I've come to realize that the best way to do that is to be me, to strive for happiness, and to work on the things I've listed in this post.

[marci]

Encouraging post! 'Do what you love' and 'Encourage others' are my 2 favorites. Maybe it's because I already find myself doing those. I love to be the person who stands by someone who needs that crucial support and stick by them even when times get rough. I'm so passionate about that. Thank you for writing this beautiful post.

[Positively Present]

Marci - I'm glad you enjoyed the post! :) That's so great that you do what you love and encourage others. You are most definitely leaving your fingerprints on the world.