MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND AN IMPACT
STSpublishing
February 2002

When we look at our lives, how challenging it is sometimes, we have to wonder what it's all about--our place and purpose in the world. Is it to live a grand lifestyle, to merely watch the parade, to work at succeeding financially, to strive in attaining an envious career or position, or securing a great contract and keeping up with the Jones family? It's really so simple, so basic. We were placed here to MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND AN IMPACT--to help a friend or family member, to soothe a crying child, to pacify the warmongers, to feed a hungry mouth or more, to rescue the misguided, to put our leadership qualities in motion, to pass along life-saving tips, to brighten barrenness with creative talent, to cradle the elderly, to smile at the lonely, to light darkness with laughter, to encourage the insecure, to lend an ear, to put some time aside for even a stranger, to take courage to the fearful, to bring forth a charitable nature, to honor those so deserving, to help the suffering endure the night, to lift a heavy soul, to shield the unprotected, to dry a tear or two, to remember the forgotten, to enrich the empty spirit, to comfort a broken heart, to sing with nature, to blanket the homeless, to exemplify compassion, to assist the handicapped, to bandage open or even hidden wounds, to demonstrate love for the rejected, to emulate fairness, to lessen the burden of the weary, to open unseeing eyes, to foster tolerance and understanding among all, to learn about forgiveness, to work for enlightenment of the misguided and the hurtful--at least one of these we can do, so as to make a difference in the world. If we can do just one of these things, then our life has real purpose and meaning, and questioning ceases. Most of us will have done at least one of the above at life's end, so our purpose here becomes justified, and this is confirmation of even greater purpose in the universe. Why else would all of us, humans or animals, have played roles in a grand scheme? We have the chance to make a difference in humanity's fate; and less we forget, humanity surely includes the animals, part of the unbroken circle of life. Let's remember to endear the animal kingdom and revere it, as it so deserves. When a human heart can suffer so when an animal can no longer romp, then it surely demonstrates the bond that was successfully created; thus, the broken of heart can then rejoice in gratitude of memories of a meaningful, shared existence.