The Raving Lunatic Fridays

"tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolutions - Kahlil Gibran"

Todays rant has to do with power, and what you do with power. The world today is a cold, hard place. Opportunity is hard to come by, and when one arises, it is a much-sought commodity. The tendency of man today is tear another down to build one's self up. I feel that what is missing from the world today is a sense of unity. I thought that we would get that with Obama, and the spirit of change and whatnot, but it is not so. It is hard to be helpful to others when one's own life is in such turmoil. The hardest thing to do is to be nice to someone, when no one has shown you the same kindness. It is exactly why that kindness is the very thing we need. More people being kind would result in a general change in attitude that is sorely needed. At times like these, I am reminded of a story I tell my students, or audience when speaking to a crowd.

"A man walking on the beach comes across another man throwing starfish into the ocean. A tide rolls back to reveal thousands of starfish on the sand. The man asks "How will you ever get all those starfish back in the water before they die? What difference do you hope to make?" The man paused for a second, and then picked up a starfish. "I can make a difference to this starfish." He then threw the starfish into the ocean."

How many times have we wanted to do something, but when we saw the great need, questioned the size of our contribution? "I want to volunteer for charity, but what will my hour do?" Well, for starters, it will reduce the need for volunteers by one hour. I know that I am asking for what seems to be a lot, but you will be better for it. The world will be better for it, humanity will be better for it. The chance to help someone should be enough of a reason to help someone.

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. - Martin Luther King, Jr."

R.L