This is something I've made up for our family. It's not the sort of mad cow you might be thinking of. The letters stand for Make a Difference, Change our World. For as long as I can remember, I've found the idea of making a difference in the world very attractive. However, I used to think most significant difference-makers seemed to be doing BIG things, like discovering fantastic new drugs, embarking on huge missions to third world nations, doing flamboyant protests about environmental issues, or marching with placards to the steps of Parliament House. This frustrated me because I felt that I really wasn't making a difference in my own quiet way.

Over recent years I've broadened my opinion to include smaller actions. Having children has helped me understand that there are many simple details that anyone can do to make our world a nicer place to live, adults and children alike. Just because they are simpler and easier than the BIG things I mentioned above does not make them any less significant. In fact, even though they are simple, many people choose not to do them, so those of us who do do them are making a definite impact in our world, whether or not we're acknowledged by others. I like to think of them as little embellishments that make our lives into works of art. Something like a hem of lace around the border of a skirt or fine details on an oil painting. In fact, when you think about it, these little actions might have the potential to inspire more difference-makers to get to work simply because more people will think, "I can do that too."

We've put together a little list that we can add to as we go along and I want to challenge the kids to do a simple action every day. Here it is:-

Write thank-you notes

Write encouragement letters

Pick up any litter you see

Leave places better than you found them

Hold doors or elevators for people

Drive with courtesy and let others in (I always appreciate it when people flash their lights to tip me off that there's a speed camera up ahead but I wonder if this act of kindness is bordering on the illegal)

Return shopping trolleys

Decorate house with lights at Christmas

Share uplifting stories

Plant something

Hug, talk, sing or play with a baby

Really listen to your children when they're talking

Play with children

Meet friends for the occasional morning tea

Keep an uplifting blog