Collins 1

Mitchell Collins

Emily Litle

ENG 121001

16 August 2022

Journal 1

When asked what difference I’m going to make after school, I certainly give a very

out there answer. To claim you are going to make a difference in this world seems too

optimistic, and regardless of what people may choose, most will fail. Making a difference to

individuals, small groups or communities are however much more attainable goals. This

question proposes that everyone will make a difference to the world which is completely

untrue.

Having the question what difference will make in the world? Is absolutely a

misleading one. I like to challenge the idea that you will not make a difference in this world,

rather to just smaller groups or individuals. This question suggests, particularly to younger

people that you must make a difference in the world, which is why I have never liked it. As

humans we obviously need goals, but we need achievable ones. While someone in this class

may be the one to cure cancer or solve world hunger, the chances of that happening are so

slim you might as well buy a lottery ticket. The question should be something along the lines

of what difference will make to yourself/your family/ your friends/ your community? This is

one that can almost always be answered.

My goal in life is to help people. I will do this hopefully through my dream job as a

physical therapist, alternatively I will pursue a career in the police force when I return home.

Now, can I make difference to the world as a whole? Of course. Will that happen? Probably
 Collins 2

not. Both of these jobs that I see in my future will certainly change me as a person and I will

certainly make a difference in many peoples lives. Whether that’s through rehabilitating

someone from a horrific injury or helping another track down a stolen family heirloom. I

know I will make a difference, but not necessarily a difference to the world.

I know this is a weird tale on the proposed question and I truly believe everyone is

destined to make an impact. But I also believe that if I wasn’t here to make my planned

difference or even if you weren’t here making a difference on us as students and shaping

our future, the world would not be any different at all. Being a positive change to peoples

lives is something we should all strive for, but most of us truly do not matter to the world as

a whole and should focus more of our time making a difference to those immediately

around us.