In every aspect of our lives, there comes a point when the smoke and excitement clears, and we're left reflecting on what it is we do. In our jobs, there are reasons we stay and go, other than money. In our personal lives, there are reasons we articulate our views and values, other than small talk. Whether it be our careers, our home lives, the friends we have, the time we give, the money we spend... most of us would like to think we're making a positive difference.

But in many cases impact is difficult to articulate, and even more difficult to measure. We hope that societal-aligned ethics and confident values will aggregate to positive impact in the long run. However it's not infrequent that we say "one person can't make a difference", or ask "how will this small action change the world?" As we try to translate individual decisions to macro-level consequences, we get lost in the complexity.

For the past several years I've pondered this challenge, both philosophically and specifically in the realm of micro-level financial choices. More recently, I've been expanding to food consumerism. As I continue research and reflection, I've created a significantly larger number of questions than answers, however the question of individual impact is one that's resolving itself by the minute. Our own choices do matter, often at scales beyond original perception; however perhaps our more significant impact is in how we influence others - how we notify, how we educate, how we inspire, and how we demonstrate through action. That's how impact lives on, not to mention multiplies.

So here's a shot at multiplying impact, or at least articulating it. I plan to write several "Impact Series" posts on certain topics research, analysis, and reflection have led me to believe are significant. I hope they elicit question; and perhaps may result in further research, decisions, and arguably most importantly, further articulation to others, by some of the readers.