I put a lot of effort into my work today. But I wondered if it was worth it.

I gave my first official drug education talk to teenagers. I 'unofficially' have talked with kids about drugs, but this was in front of three classes of students.

The social studies teacher asked me to give a presentation, because the students finished a week studying drugs. At the end of the week each kid had to give a presentation about a certain drug. The teacher thought a great way to finish this module would be to have a school nurse present.

I decided to give the kids a real-life picture of what drugs can do.

The kids sat and listened attentively. No one fell asleep. No one made jokes. No one chattered. I've never had a more attentive audience in my life.

Time became meaningless as I delved into my memories about teenagers ruined by marijuana. The kids were horrified to find out that marijuana wasn't harmless after all, especially to growing teenagers. They were even more shocked to find out that the person on the street selling cocaine is probably selling more battery acid than cocaine.

I wasn't there to scare the kids, although some probably were. I wanted to point out risk factors.

I was a man on a mission. I ended up speaking to three classes that afternoon. Then I began to doubt. Who I am to educate about such things? I'm not qualified.

After the doubt came belief that I had not wasted my time.

I was back in my office when a 16-year-old boy approached me. "Excuse me. Do you have a minute?" he asked. I nodded my head. The boy came in, shut the door behind him, and grabbed a seat. "Can I ask you something about your talk?" he asked.

"Sure, ask anything you want," I replied.

I won't say anymore, as what the boy told me is of no importance to anyone else but the student and myself. But what is important is that my talk made a difference, at least to one person.

I realized then that even if I only made a difference in one life, it was all worth it. Who knows, I may have even saved a life.

Related: Confidence, Feedback, Mindset, Success