One of our favorite movies as a family during Christmas season was 'It's a Wonderful Life' starring James Stewart. This fanciful tale of how things would be different if he hadn't been around, always made me wonder about the lives I've touched during my time on this amazing planet.

One thing I've always focused on is the importance in making a difference when it counts. Not to toot my own horn, but there have been countless times when I've been either the only one, or one of just a few to speak up in the face of injustice. Born with a natural sense of fair play and what I'm told is a rare good heart, I've been blessed with the ability to change minds for the better even while incurring great costs at times to myself.

If doing the right thing was always easy, there would be no grindstone to sharpen our character. Thus, I have a lot of respect for those brave souls who stand tall, and speak their minds when everyone else remains silent.

It's not always easy being good...

Often, the very act of swimming against the current will bring out the very best in others as well. I've noted that if you're very popular and everyone always likes you, you're doing something wrong. I've shared about how I spoke up when my co-worker was being set up by someone who sabotaged her work on the job. It cost me my own position at the time, but Cathy became a lifelong friend, and we supported each other in employment until she passed way too young just a few years ago.

It was the right thing to do, and saved her job when she couldn't afford to lose it. Cathy felt so bad that my truthful assistance cost me, that she ended up helping me to get one of the best jobs I ever had. Making difficult choices like that makes those referred to as the "Salt of the Earth" really stand out.

And that's how I live my life. Are you making a difference when it counts? Or just going along with the tide of the majority? Looking back, are there times where you could say: "If I hadn't been there..." as a testament to being one of the key people in either preventing something bad from happening, or promoting something good. A tip of the hat to those of you living a truly Wonderful Life.