Better Place…
We haven’t exactly forgotten our determination to make this world a better place in which to live. We just say, “Not yet.” We say, “We must make our living, first. We must first find security for ourselves and raise our children.” That rope of ideals to which we clung so tightly long ago has slacked in our hands. Our grip has loosened. And as we swing our goals to a place in the country where we can retire in comfortable security—you know, with two horses, and golf everyday, and a few chickens, and an orchard to make it deductible—well, we have let go of the rope forever. “Someday” simply never comes. Is this a preachment? No, because there’s nothing wrong with this life.
But this I believe. By using as a blueprint the words of Confucius, “Every thousand mile journey must begin with a single step,” I can hang on to that rope. Instead of waiting for some miracle to make me President of the United States, I can join a local citizen’s committee if my goal is to cleanup politics. I can work at being a member of the PTA if I want to improve our educational system. If I want to start a foundation for the benefit of others, I don’t have to wait until I’m rich.
Here’s an example. For two hundred dollars a year, I can have an ice cream company deliver one ice cream cone every Saturday to each of the seventy children in a small orphanage. They’ll get shoes and food somehow. But they don’t get little luxuries like ice cream cones. A week at Palm Springs won’t mean as much twenty years later as that ice cream cone every Saturday when you’re eight years old. That can be the entire project of my foundation. My first step.
I believe in taking these steps one at a time, looking no further ahead than the end of the day. One concrete step of something accomplished is better than a fireman’s ladder of deeds undone. My creed is a selfish one, for any of these steps make you feel good. But is it bad to feel good? (written in 1950 by John Guedel)
So true. If we don’t actually start somewhere, that ’someday’ may never come …and our words remain just that…mere words … if we don’t act on them, they certainly won’t have any value what-so-ever… every day, I think about what I can do to make a difference in people’s lives. I believe I do my share already and certainly don’t feel the need to make it public. However, this time I’d be working on something I’ve never done before…this upcoming summer, I will be travelling to Palestine where I will visit two refugee camps near Ramallah. With my individual effort and the support and contributions of friends, family and local non-profit organizations, I hope to distribute - in person - to each child in the two refugee camps a back-pack filled with goodies and treats which will include coloring books, crayons, pens, pencils, erasers, stock paper, stickers, puzzles, chocolates, candy, bubble gum, lollipops, toys and other simple items these kids don’t have access to.
So far, I’ve contacted several non-profit ogranizations, a few friends, family, and some co-workers… All of whom were very receptive to the idea. I’m not asking for money (I know how we all can be extremely reluctant giving out money), rather I’m kindly asking anyone I approach to contribute anything they can from the list of items I listed above. As of now, I’m still waiting for a response on a close estimate of the number of children in the refugee camps I will be visiting. Logistic issues will have to be worked out as well, but I’m not concerned about that.
While I consider this project a very simple gesture, I believe it will definitely make these childern’s day and put a smile on their faces! And this is the main reason I’m looking forward to my visit in May!
Anyone interested in finding out more information about this? In helping? Please let me know!
