"Some Positive Effect."

 “It means a lot to know that I had some positive effect,” he said, regarding a student who informed him of the impact he had on her life as her teacher.

“Some positive effect.”

If only he knew how much of a positive effect he had on so many young lives at that tiny little college. I had seen it, the entire campus knew it. Hundreds, if not thousands of students’ lives had changed from his teachings, both inside and outside of the classroom.

But somehow, he couldn't fully see the impact he had made. I wish that for people like this instructor, that there was a way for them to see just how far their impact reached, be able to view at once, all the lives they've changed for the better.

It’s so easy to think that our jobs don’t mean much. We go about the daily grind, just performing the tasks we've always done. But somewhere, in these day-to-day exercises, words are spoken, conversations happen, choices are made, comfort is given, lives are forever altered. Most people don’t even realize it’s happened until well after.

It’s those small moments that we look back upon and say, “A wise man once told me…” and realize that it was then that we made a choice, or learned something vital. This is how we grow up and mature. And usually, we don’t realize it in time to thank the people who were responsible for those life lessons.

So, don’t ever think that you don’t mean anything. Don’t ever feel like your life is worth nothing. And please, don’t ever forget that you've changed lives. Because of you, someone didn't jump. Because of you, someone was able to stop the tears, make a decision, take another step.

Thanks, Professor.