If you do not like the way the world is, you can change it
Think what you can do
Little... little drops of water and small …little grains of sand make a mighty big sea. And the pleasant land. Like the little minutes, humble though they may be, make the mighty ages of eternity.
If you do not like the way the world is, you can change it. You have an obligation to change it. You just do it one step at a time. No matter how small your contribution is, that always makes a difference to someone. Do all the good you can by all the means you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can and long as you can.
Remember `I am only one, but still I am one. I can’t do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do something I can do.’
Efforts
That was a very cold and chilly December dark night. Then years old Ganesh was sitting with his parents in the living bed room and watching news in the TV channel. The room heater was on and they were enjoying the warmth.
Suddenly on seeing something on TV news Ganesh up striate feeling disturbed. That was about a group of homeless people sleeping out side in the cold, with nowhere to go for warmth and comfort. Their plight was miserable. Feeling sorry Ganesh asked his parents, `Why does not anybody do anything about it? It is so cold and these poor people are shivering. `His father said, `my dear Son, there are people who help in their own ways. But that is not enough. There are so many poor and needy all over.’
Ganesh could not sleep the whole night. All he wanted was to help them somehow. Next morning he got up red-eyed and disturbed it again with his father and mother. He said `I truly feel bad for them and want to do something, but what? Besides, I am not big.’
His mother replied, `Ganesh, your concern is appreciable. You need to help but feel that you are to small. But you know son, every bit of help counts. You can make your contributions by talking about their plight to you teachers friends. You can even think of ways in which you all can get together to help them. The beginning of all things is small. At least make efforts.’
Now, Ganesh was determined and in school he spoke to his friends. It worked and together they decided to start a club. The goal was to raise money to help the homeless. They spent all the free time at recess painting rocks, diyas, and wooden boards. They painted birds, animals, flowers, and beautiful sceneries, even names of sports team or whatever they felt like. They, then sold it to teachers and other father and mother who would use them as paperweight, design cloth bags, decorative items etc. initially a group of 6, and the club membership rose to 30. Slowly, a substantive sum of money was collected. Since Diwali festival was round the corner, their colorful diyas sold like hot cakes.
Now they were ready to give the money to the homeless. Ganesh’s mother offered to take them to a shelter for homeless to deliver the money. As they walked inside they noticed poor people and children scattered all over. They gave the money to the `woman in charge. Overwhelmed, she said, `How thoughtful of these children. Wish there were much more people like them then this world actually be a better place. God bless you! Today we have some people from the press. I would like you all to meet them.’
On hearing about the children’s efforts and contribution, the press media and electronic media took their pictures. The children’s photo and an article about them came out in the newspaper the next day. The children felt proud that they did something which gave more attention to the needs of the homeless. The school authorities too were proud and started a big program to help the homeless. Something as simple as some rocks, diyas, some paint and a few caring kids prove that you are never to young –and you do not need much –to make a difference.