The power of YOU

What’s the difference, right? Whatever you do won’t change anything. We’re just one person and whatever we do or don’t do won’t have one bit of influence…so why lift a finger?

When I first became interested in writing, I read a book on how to write a book. The very first thing the author pointed out was (basically) “There are five much better writers than you within a mile of your house”. Great – I was already offended and I hadn’t even made it to the second paragraph. This was going to be a long read. (TRUE STORY: I also once read a book on how to improve my memory, but I never finished it because I lost the book.) Anyway, the point the author was making was that the only thing that made any difference between me and the other writers near my house was that while they may have better skills, if they never actually wrote or published, then indeed…what’s the point? I decided I was going to be the one that was ‘different’ and actually force myself to write. I will be the first to admit I may very well suck at writing, but at least I am putting SOMETHING down on paper which is a whole lot more than what I was doing before.

Sometimes it is easy to get lost in the enormity of something and then you question the point in doing anything at all, when you know it really won’t matter what you do.

• There are millions of starving people in this world, helping feed one person won’t make any difference.
• There are millions of voters in the election, my single vote won’t matter.
• Everyone driving on the road is a moron, I might as well drive bad too.
• Too many people need help, only saving one person won’t change anything.

I will admit, I related to all these statements at one point in my life or another. But then I finally “got it” one day and understood the difference my actions can make. While the actuality of the statements may be solid, what if everyone had the same attitude and didn’t do anything? But then think of it another way, what if everyone DID do something? So, the question is really directed at YOU – what did YOU do to change things? Did you simply complain, did you sit in your chair and tell everyone how it could have been done better? Or did you at least do something despite the influence you feel it might have had?

I saw a disturbing video online once of a poor dog being abused and I was infuriated and at the same time I felt completely helpless…what could I ever do to help that poor dog? Nothing. So is that where things were to end? No, I decided to spoil the heck out of my dog. Maybe I can’t do a thing for any other dogs in the world, but you know what? My dog was sleeping in a comfortable bed with a full tummy and plenty of love and pats. Sure, I wish I could help ALL the poor animals in the world, but the reality is I can’t help them all.  However, I can make sure mine is comfortable and happy. Despite not being able to make global change or widespread difference, there is one thing we can all do…DO WHAT YOU CAN. Just because there is already millions of people voting, your vote DOES make a difference…and so does his, and hers and theirs. They add up! Consider these relations:

– One single drop of water may be seemingly insignificant, but together with millions of others, they can become a powerful tidal wave!
– One person singing may be hard to hear, but a massive group of people become a beautiful choir or powerful force (Look what happened in Jericho 6:20)
– One person with a gun may be easily targeted, but if others join you, you quickly form an army.
– A single brick may not be strong enough hold back much, but enough of them stacked together can make a impenetrable wall.

Do something that you believe in, even if you are pretty sure your actions won’t make a difference. The other benefit of doing your part is the feeling you will have knowing you really did do something instead of taking the easy path of doing nothing.

I may not be able to do anything for any other dog, but as far as mine knows; he is the luckiest dog in the world.