rosprynn © 2005

  

Lately I have despaired with all that is going on in the world.  As I sit here, people in Darfur are still being killed (as more committees are struck to 'discuss' the issue!); children in Iraq are still being bombed from the earth, and more children the world over never make it to five years old, dying early because of famine, etc.. 

 

Easy to despair.  I go to those depths quite often, but today as I read a fluff novel (yes - I confess I do that!), a phrase came into my head.  "The Power of One".  It was like a thunderbolt to me, and as I repeated those words over and over, I was reminded how powerful ONE can be.  "The Power of One" is the name of a novel my daughter and I read years ago, and a novel that we have shared with many since then. (And yes, how thrilled I am to number among my friends Steven in Australia, who when I met him, had already read and loved that book too!)

 

This book traces the life path of a little boy; the trials and tribulations he faced as he matured and how through his own determination, despite many personal horrors, became a leading figure for change in his oppressed country.

 

In the news these days is much about the upcoming concert headed up by Bob Geldof, and yes, at the U2 concerts they are selling bracelets in support of a campaign to "make poverty history".  Yes, I heard those bracelets are made in sweatshops - but the intent to look world hunger in the eye and do something about it....works for me.

 

The point is, each and every effort to make a difference in this world, starts with One...One person with One heart, and one absolute commitment to making things better for our fellow humans. 

 

You and me may never be as famous as any of these headliners, but I do believe we each have the power to make a difference.  It may be in our local daycare center in an inner city neighbourhood.  It may be contributing our talents to the local AIDS quilt.  It may be signing on to Amnesty International (which recently did - again!).

 

Your talent may lie in reading.  An aunt of mine regularly volunteers at a local elementary school in a "Read to Me" programme that she set up.  Rather than sit home and be shocked at the alarming rates of illiteracy rampant on this continent, she gets out there and does something about it. 

 

I am infamous as a hugger(!), and I have had the priviledge of working with many, many hug-deprived children.  You haven't really lived (in my humble opinion!) until you have hugged a needy child and felt the physical change come over them, as they relax into your arms, and smile a first tentative smile, before they burst into giggles. 

 

You don't have to have scads of money to make a difference.  A willingness to look beyond your own minor irritations, with an open heart, and a commitment to BE compassion is ALL it takes.  The opportunities are limitless.

 

"We are the world, ...we are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving...."