Of course you do Idne! (((((((HUGS)))))))

Of course you do!!!! Do you know how many people I talk to through e mail that have nothing but wonderful things to say about you?

Sometimes other people may be too preoccupied to notice or comment on your significance to them. That doesn't mean they are unaware of your presence in their lives, it just means they trust that you'll understand. That's a lot of trust and it's a compliment if you think about it. If people you love can count on you, that's the highest praise there is. You need a good dose of "It's A Wonderful Life". While none of us are the center of the universe, we really have no idea how much we affect the people around us, how often they may think of us, or how much difference something we say or do makes to them. Be assured, idne, you do make a difference.

If you count the number of people you have made smile, sent hugs to, cheered up, lifted up, made laugh, lent a shoulder to, cried with, backed up, stood up for, you would know 100% that you have made a difference. You touch people in a way that says.."I care about you". They ,and I, are the lucky ones to even cross your path. You have a special gift of listening with your heart. Your thoughtful and you give your all when ever called upon. You have a giving nature and your unselfish and a blessing to everyone who knows you. The way you come to the aid of others is beautiful and you are a treasure. A person like you brightens the world and you are a gift in my life.....

Who knows. I mean, really who knows. I don't know what you do in your real life. Maybe you make a difference or maybe you are a drain on society. Who knows.

You do to me.

Yes - to me, you're one of the people whose answers & questions I always look out for - sorry to hear you're feeling down. Feel better soon! ;)

You bet your sweet bippy you do! Don't doubt it for even one second, Idne! I think alot of the 'baggers would be surprised if they knew how much their answers and comments help others. I know many ABers brighten my day, (of which YOU are right up at the top)! I don't get out much anymore, and I enjoy alot of you guys/gals very much!

you are the heart and soul of AB, the time and effort and thoughtfulness you put into every question and every answer is amazing ...but then I wouldn't expect anything less from someone as special as you are 'idne'...the love and respect you are held in by other ABers is so very plain to see ... thank you for being ...you!!

Everybody makes a difference.

Everyone makes a difference rather it is for the good or bad. I have only seen good come from you so yes you make a great difference. I know sometimes we all feel like we are just spinning our tires and getting nowhere because people just do not seem to notice us as much as we feel we need it. But if you know you try to be a good person then know that many think you are good even if a few do not see it.

You definitely make a difference, idne. :)

To me yes definately and I am sure to many other people.

Idne you have to me...... and I am sure to many others as well!

Of course you do, we have not come across each others paths a great deal but there are many advantages of different aspects in a forum like this. Everybody makes a difference especially those who are sensitive enough to ask if they are useful. Keep on going and make this place more bearable!

Of course you do. You're a special person and I'm sure you've made a big impact on many people's lives throughout the past, and will impact many more lives as well.

I'm sure you do and to make yourself believe it walk into your son's room and look at his little face. That is what matters. Peace Idne

Yes you do.

Unquestionably. Absolutely. Yes.

absolutely! has les miles made a difference? joyeux noel,cher.

Well obviously you make a difference to me! There's two common perspectives: the "cultural" view is that only certain individuals make a difference -- the Gandhis and MLKs, perhaps presidents or other leaders, people who are well known with a lot of influence or power. The second common perspective is the "humanist" view: we make a difference to those who are close to us, yes? The ones you love -- or hate even -- your children, family, friends. But neither of these answers is really satisfactory somehow. They don't really answer the thing that nags at us in the middle of the night, they don't really tell us whether our small choices (recycling that bottle?) matter or if we're just massaging our egos by pretending that our actions matter. I think the question can't really be answered satisfactorily until the meaning of "I" goes through a transformation of sorts. "I" as a separate, small bag of skin and bones in a world of 6 billion others really can't make much difference. Not only that, but history is vast... does Martin Luther King, Jr. make any difference in the 15 billion year history of the Earth? Really, isn't even he just a tiny blip on a small radar screen? So the "I" who is one of 6 billion doesn't make much difference. But that's not the only "I" there is... there's also the Self with a capital S, the me who isn't just this individual but is interwoven with all of humanity and all of reality, the one who resonates at the joy of a child passing by and groans with pain upon hearing of a plane crash 10,000 miles away. That Self knows that each individual contains the Whole, like a hologram which can be cut in half and still contain the full image... and that Self can see that all the other Selves make a difference, and that all actions are interconnected. That's a satisfactory answer to me.

I knowbeing in contact on AB with you has made a difference. Your question and answers have made me think,helped me learn and cheered me up. I am so very glad you are on Ab.

Sure you do. You're always kind, and thoughtful. I know I'll never forget how much help you gave me when I was just a new AB'er. So in case I forgot; Thank You IDNE, your the best!!!!!!!!

Absolutely :)

Of course you do. I'm at a cross roads myself and I'm thinking the same thing. You're great to talk to. When that happens that is.

Only if you do something very good or very bad ;)

Every one of us make a difference. I wish there was some way to prove it to you.

for the people who encounter you, definitely. (:

Yes! "Never doubt a small group of commited people can make a difference, indeed its the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead

I was going to make a joke and say you were just feeling this way because you had to work and couldn't go to New Orleans with us. But I can tell something more relevant has happened. You do make a good difference to society by your kind words and actions. Even when we aren't trying to do something good it can happen. Like you're pulling weeds out of your flower bed and pull out a dandelion scattering its seeds. The seeds are carried to Baton Rouge where one drops into the cuff of man's trousers as he walks into the airport to board a plane for China. Upon his arrival the seed falls out and is carried until it lands and takes root in someone else's garden. When it blooms a toddler is handed it by his mother or father. He waves it seeing the seeds scatter he laughs with delight. He looks at his parent who is smiling back at him. This event has caused new synapses to form in the toddler's brain increasing his capacity to learn. Smiling and seeing his mother smile back has taught him an important social skill. Without even trying you have brought joy to a child and their parent, increased learning, and social skills. Just think about the outcomes when you do things with purpose.

everyone does,somehow some people would like to claim ownership and feel you are useless.

If you have ever cared for anyone in your entire life, then you have made a difference.

Without you Idne!!!!!! This site would never be the same.......So YES you do make a BIG difference in many lives. Now get your ? back on line and give us all ya got. We need you here.....................M.C.S.

"and somewhere between the time you arrive and the time you go, may lie a reason you were alive, and you may never know" - Jackson Browne

yes to those who think you do.

Of course you do. You're a very kind, caring, thoughtful, helpful, compassionate and considerate person and that will always make a difference in this world.

You make a bit of a difference,

Yes of course you do...how could you even ask this. You make a HUGE difference!!! :)

I'm going to chime in here a little late. I hope you are feeling better today. Making a difference is highly overrated. Whenever something used to bother me, my Mom would cheer me up by saying "Honey, 100 years from now, no one will even remember your name." That is a good reminder of just how insignificant our problems are. Sometimes we get too carried away with "meaning of life" and forget to just "live". That's really the only point of our existence.

Jeez, what a time I picked to be out of sight for a while. You make a difference to God. He knows the number of the hairs on your head and watches your every step. Every single thing you do matters to Him. While it's true that you also make a difference to me, and to many other people on here, and many others in your life away from AB, none of that matters. Because even if you didn't make a difference to all those other people, God has promised that He loves you more than anybody else ever could anyway.

Yes to those you have contact with both directly and indirectly. Like ripples in a pond.

everyone does

Compared to...? compared to me ,yes!

Of course you do. A big difference :)

How did I miss this question? Or did I answer it and forget where it went. You make as much difference to me as the sun makes to a flower. -It'll still grow roots, but has no reason to blossom. Thanks for shining on me. Even though I'm not a flower

A VERY BIG DIFFERENCE!!

Of course you do. :):)

Parable of the Little Soul http://jenptrsn.freeshell.net/healinglight.html

i have always believed that a person is a part of every other person that he/ she have met....and now that i've met you...in this site, though not physically...i guess you made a difference in me...:)

yes

What would we AB'ers do without you my FRIEND?.....M.C.S.

AB would be nothing without you, IDNE

yes, you making someones day, can make someone elses day, and so on. so keep making people smile!

OF COURSE! Every heart counts.

only if you had built the eiffle tower lol na just joking you make a differce to ME

No

of course....everyone has a role to play...and frndz have the hardest and make most of the difference in someones life.:)

If you are talking about the history of the world the answer would be an insignificant one. However, in your realm of family and friends I am sure you make quite a big difference.

Yes, you do. More than you know. Your particular ripple is the sparkly one.

You make the difference you aim to make, and when you aim to make a difference, you will always succeed, even in the smallest of ways. WOW!! How about that!! Simply99 getting philosophical and a touch deep! LOL

Idne you most certainly do. I have always looked up to you and thought you gave some really great advice and have always tried to be respectful of others even when it was hard. I can't begin to imagine what AB would be like without good people like you.

Yes. Each of us does. But we make more of a difference working together.

yes you do you make us smile.

We've never met. This is my first hour on Answerbag, ever. I'm not even sure how your name is pronounced. (Ide-nay? Idden? Ide-en?) Yet you have influenced me. What too few realize, and those who DO realize, fail to act upon is: We are not unconnected. You think of yourself as a small dust speck, surrounded by your portion of other dust specks to influence. What has happened, though, is that, as society and technology have made our world a smaller place, your "portion" of dust specks has grown. You, a complete stranger, have found a way to reach me. Even now, I am contemplating my influence on those I love, and how they see me, and whether I am doing what I can to make their lives a bit more beautiful. (Judging by the answers left here, I would say that you, my friend, are succeeding in that endeavor.) You are making a difference to me, on accident. I can only imagine what you can accomplish on purpose! Be blessed, and know that YOU MATTER!!!

Yes you do! :D A positive difference! :D

Yup , Every human being in the world has a reason to be born . So for sure you do make a difference in one's life :)

That, of course, is entirely up to you. If you live a life of being kind, helpful, supportive, caring, accepting of others..if you are always honest, give people the benefit of the doubt and want them to succeed..if you are more selfless then selfish, then yes, you would have made a difference, in a very positive way. If you were the opposite of all those things, you would also have made a difference..but the people with whom you came in contact would refer to you as an example of what not to be and how not to be. Knowing you as I do, you have made a huge positive difference in the lives of your family/friends! Happy Saturday! :) ((hugs))

of course you do. You altered the entire course of my life by giving me the opportunity to answer your question. You have had a deep impact on my life and you didn't even know it till I pointed it out. Think of all the other times you have impacted someone and not only you...but they also didn't realize it :)

Each and every one of us makes a difference! thats what makes us so special.

Everything happens for a reason. You asked this question for a reason, you were here on earth for a reason. You can make a difference with a blink of an eye that no one has even imagined before.

If you believe in the philosophy of the butterfly effect you do. Otherwise, I don't know? Anyone can on some small or large level if they really want to I suppose?

At the end of the day, if you can honestly say you changed the life of one person, however small, in a way that makes their life better, than you have made a difference. Even if that person is you.

According to the Chaos Theory, yes.

yes you do in the way "baby cakes" (the first answer-er of this question) the space time continuim,how things will be affected in the future for all,the evolution of certain animals,creations made,inspiration to scientists,money made by other ppl,money lost by other ppl,the ones u love,how many times a book is read, et cetera et cetera..so as u can see everyone makes a difference for,in, and on everything...for instance i made a difference in how many points u have because i gave this question an added 2 points..so there ya go...how u make a difference

If you subtract ;)

No

Yes,with you coming back you made AB a much happier place already. So welcome back and enjoy AB.

Speaking strictly and specifically for meself I can say unequivocally that you most certainly DO make a world of difference. And I can personally vouch for many other lives you've touched in very important ways. I guess this begs the question(s)Do you NOT feel that you make a difference? I've seen enough evidence to know that you most assuredly make an astounding difference, my Dear.