Ordinary People

Every day I hear about amazing things people do to make a difference.  It motivates me and makes me happy to tell those stories.  But what gives these people the edge? the drive? the clout? to do something to make the world a better place?   Is it some special attitude or skill?  Where do they get the initiative, the energy?  What’s the key?

When I heard about Brad Meltzer and his blog Ordinary People Can Change the World I was curious.to find out more.    A quick look at his website and I was hooked on his Heroes approach and his book Heroes For My Daughter, which I immediately ordered for my Kindle.  In this book, Brad writes about 60 people he coins as heroes – from Amelia Earhart to Teddy Roosevelt to Marie Curie to Sojourner Truth,  his vignettes show the strengths of  what made these ordinary people great.  I sensed a common theme from the beginning when Amelia Earhart says “I want to do it because I want to do it.”  Other key phrases like “follow your gut”  “never give up” “work hard”and “find something you are passionate about.” give us clues to a character trait I’ll call Determination.

But where do you find Determination?  Can you learn it?  I think we can all learn the principles of self-worth, hard work, decision-making, and resolution all of which serve to define Determination.  And once you own those principles it makes it so much easier to get on with what you want to do.  A short answer to a very complex process.

Brad also believes that if you want to change the world all you have to do is help one person.  If you think about helping just one person, it makes it easier to figure out what to do.  Brad’s video is a great way to begin saying  Thank You.

Brad Meltzer is a best-selling author, funny and witty, who has given us a look at how ordinary people do amazing things.  Thanks Brad.