#Word365

My "Word For The Year" came to me back in November. I volunteer every week at the local hospital, and I have to log my hours using the online site of Voluntary Norfolk, on a page titled "My Impact". I think they are encouraging us to understand that whatever we do, even if only an hour a week, can make a difference - to other people to the community - and to us volunteers as individuals.

The dictionary offers five definitions of this word

Noun
1. the act of one body, object, etc striking another; collision
2. the force with which one thing hits another or with which two objects collide
3. the impression made by an idea, cultural movement, social group,
Verb
4. to drive or press an object firmly into another or of two objects to be driven or pressed firmly together
5. to have an impact or strong effect (on)

Some of these can sound quite negative - but there is also a positive aspect to impact. Yes a health issue, or a sudden financial drain, or a broken relationship can have a bad impact on us. But other things, an unexpected gift, a bright sunny day in the middle of a dreary winter, the renewal of a friendship, a hug or smile... these things can have a good impact.
The graphic, with its Newton's Cradle imagery. implies force, and the definitions include words like collide, hit, drive, and press. Impact can be strong, and maybe unpleasant. But even soft words can make a difference, and have an impact. 45 years ago, the first British TV series to feature a female detective was called "The Gentle Touch" - the idea that sometimes it was better to go gently than plough in with brute force.

What things may have an impact on us? Weather, TV programmes, health issues, world events, books, politicians, relationships [and for me personally, reading the Bible and listening to sermons]
And how do we impact others? By the way we act and speak - and also how we vote, how we spend our money, how we share our time with other people.

The ball swings down and hits the next in the row on Newton's cradle, and the force travels along through the others suspended, until the end one swings up. There is a 'knock-on' effect. Sometimes in life, the original force is magnified like ripples on a pond - and the final outcome is much worse

For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

At other times, the impact of one small action grows into something huge and good. Rosa Parks sat down on the bus in 1955, Moina Michael pinned a red poppy on her coat in 1918 - you can think of other examples
This year I hope I will take the hard knocks which will inevitably come, but try to ameliorate their effect and not pass on too much negative impact to the next in line - but also try to ensure that I can do good things which have a positive impact on those around me