By Karen J Lewis | October 07, 2011 at 01:42 AM EDT |
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Have you ever tossed a plastic bottle into the garbage can and at that moment realized that it belongs in the recycle bin only to walk away thinking it's ok "it's just one bottle"? Or how about election day when you are tired and are just wanting to retreat to your home rather than going to the polls; you might justify this in your mind by saying "my vote doesn't count anyway". How about witnessing someone being hurt or treated unjustly...do you walk away? When was the last time you stopped to help someone who was broken down on the side of the road...I know for me it has been a while...not for a lack of opportunity though?
Think of it this way...imagine it's the turn of the century and your transportation is horse and buggy, you have been to town to pick up provisions and on your way home you see another buggy on the side of the road. Suddenly you crack the whip on your horse and turn your head away from the stranded travelers as you pass them by to get home and cook supper. It is not very likely that any of us would have considered doing such a thing 100 years ago is it. But essentially we do this every day of our lives...we are so focused on our needs, our desires, our goals that we are missing opportunities to engage with others, be a part of our community, or to make a difference in a strangers life.
I will leave you with this passage written by Loren Eiseley
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, what are you doing?
The youth replied, throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they will die.
Son, the man said, don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said...
I made a difference for that one!
