It was one of those early, warm spring days and after enduring another New England winter I needed to get out into the woods and enjoy nature. While walking I came upon a tree that had fallen, it was bathed in sunlight and the perfect size to use as a seat. I took advantage of this perfect situation to have a Zen moment; sit quietly, face upturned to the sun and just chill. After a couple of minutes the cutest little bee landed on my hand. Looking at it, I admired how cute it was, and then blew it off my skin. Face turned back to sun when suddenly this little bee started buzzing in my ear, I brushed it away to no avail. It did not stop attacking me. Buzzing, diving at my head, a nonstop assault on my being. I finally got up and quickly got out of there.
As I walk away a quote by the Dalai Lama came to mind. ” If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” That little bee did not care that I weight about a million times more than her, or the fact that I could squish her with no effort, it just went on a mission to get rid of me and she prevailed!
So, do you think you are too small, too insignificant to make a difference? What idea came to mind that you brushed away because the effort may not produce results, or someone might laugh at you? Do the problems of this world seem too overwhelming and your small gesture not enough? Hmmmm, this tiny bee made a big difference on my walk.
Good thing the following people didn’t feel that way. A 90 year old women knew she was dying but instead of bemoaning the fact she spent her last day knitting little hats for premies. A jr. high boy found out his friend’s father had cancer and couldn’t work so he started a go fund me page to raise money for the family.
Two young men I met found out grocery stores were throwing away cases of food that had expired even though they were still good. So they started picking up the goods and giving them to people in need. There was such a need that this project kept growing. They now have a warehouse that receives and sends out these barely expired goods and are making a big difference in their town.
Many times a project will take on a life of it’s own. I have a friend who hated that so many toys ended up in landfills. So she started a drive where she collected a bunch of toys just before Christmas, then had a day at a community center where people could pick up toys for free. So many people thanked her and said what a big help it was. She then did the same with kids clothes and that was also a big success since there are so many that live paycheck to paycheck. Again, so many people said thank you and what a big help it was. She started off wanting to keep junk out of landfills and ended up filling a big need in town.
My challenge to you; do you see a need that bothers you, have you wanted to do something but unsure of the outcome, do you still think you are too small to make a difference? Do it! don’t worry about the outcome, failure only teaches us but does not defeat us. AND it doesn’t have to be a project. Visit an elderly person, bring a small bag of groceries to local food bank, little gestures add up to a lot of good.
Not only will you make a difference in someones life but a good chance you will inspire someone else to do something special!
Let me know if you decide to do something, I’m counting on you!!!!
