It is what we all want to be. We want to be significant in every aspect of this life. When we come to the realization of how insignificant we are, it begs cause to pause. It can be overwhelmingly depressing to understand how teeny, tiny our part plays in the whole scheme of things. I remember as a kid laying in the summer alfalfa field next to my house gazing at the sky clear blue. In school, I learned the world is really old and many have come and gone long before me. We are raised being told how special we are and the truth is, we are. But, so is everyone else. Nobody is the same. The reality is we are each but one speck in the universe. Yet, we can be a powerful influence in our own micro-world.
I used to be a vital part of my company. Employees, customers and suppliers all came to me for answers. I was important and significant. Having gone to many trade shows in the U.S., I had no idea what I was getting into when I went to one in Germany. It was ten times the size of any I had attended before. Walking the miles of show floor, I had the reality check of how minute I was in the bigger scheme of things. Even so, I was able to land customers on four new continents. Back home in the office, I was super significant. It meant job security, pay raises and promotions for my employees.
Who knew I could help grow such a beautiful garden of daughters. I adopted two helpless Korean babies twenty-odd years ago. What a challenge, what a joy. It didn’t change the whole world, but it changed theirs and mine forever. In the history of the world, no one will remember my short little life and contributions, but I made a small difference.
If you’re going to make an impact, it might as well be to improve something or someone. I have to laugh at myself because I take so seriously my pithy little blog. Many thanks to all who read it, I hope in some way it makes you smile or think or even dream. I am alright being that distant star in the sky that flickers sporadically that some kid in a field will ponder one summer night eons from now. In the big picture, we are little more than overgrown gnats. But in each of our little universes, we can be a powerfully positive being. Hug the ones and the things you love. There is a place in this existence to be significant.
Thanks for putting yourself out there so we can realize how insignificant we can be, yet how brave and connected we are.
ReplyDeletePeace!
Sometimes we take ourselves way too seriously and we just aren't as important as we think we are.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading a story about a man walking along a beach that was strewn with beached star fish. He was picking them up and throwing them back into the ocean. Another man came along and said, "why do you bother, you will never be able to save them all, what difference does it make?" The first man picked up a star fish, threw it into the ocean and said to the second man, "Made a difference to that one."
ReplyDeleteEvery tiny thing we do makes a difference. I try to make my tiny differences on the side of good and I know you do too.
Our tiny actions can make a huge difference to those it affects. That's why it's important to take positive action.
ReplyDelete