Making a Difference

​By Graham "GSM" Matthews

​Compliments are a funny thing. When you don't get a lot of them, you appreciate the ones you do get that much more. I'm the type of person that takes everything to heart. Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes that's not such a good thing.

​But I don't forget stuff, especially anything positive, and to say that every “Hey, good job on that!” or “Congrats on this!” means the world to me is a massive, massive understatement. I feed off that positive energy, and even negative vibes fuel me. It reminds me why I do what I do. It keeps me going when all hope is seemingly lost.

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​I'm extremely fortunate that at 21-years-old, I've been able to do some pretty cool stuff, and meet some pretty cool people. But the greatest thing I've ever been able to, and what makes me happier than anything else, is knowing I've impacted someone else's life.

Someone who has followed me on Twitter for a few years now reached out recently to say that my “unwavering positivity” helped them get through a tough time, and that they were grateful for me being a “source of strength” for them. It took me a solid hour to respond because I couldn't put how much that meant to me into words. Wow.

That feeling is absolutely invaluable. I saw somewhere not too long ago that those who strive to make others happy tend to be the most lonely. Arguable, yes, but to make someone feel a way that you don't is powerful. That's a worthy sacrifice. That's true happiness.

I'm honestly no one special. I'm nothing more than a kid who wears wrestling shirts. But hearing that means the absolute world, fuels me to keep going and reminds me why I do what I do.

Sure, my ultimate goal is, was and will always be to work for WWE someday in some capacity, but at the same time, another top goal of mine that's as high up on the list if not higher is to inspire people. To motivate people. To make people happy, and it's interactions like that one that give me the sense I'm on the right path to making a difference in this world, no matter how small.

Just like it shouldn't be New Year's Day to start setting goals for yourself, it shouldn't have to be “Random Act of Kindness Day” for you to do something nice for someone. So start today.

​To you, it may be something small and you'll forget about it in an hour, but to them, it might mean everything and could change their entire outlook on life (trust me, I know). You'll be happy you did, and more importantly, they will be, too.