Little is NOT Nothing

When we consider the many ills in our society, it is an easy retort to point upon the politicians, those in the government office, or just any other people, as the culprit because it relieves us of any responsibility and accountability on the problem. It is easy to be blamers, to see other people as the source of these problems. However, as Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Unless we become part of the solution, we are technically part of the problem!

Seeing the situation as hopeless aggravates the problem even if that does not become another problem. No wonder Egypt’s president Anwar el-Sadat said, 'He who cannot change the very fabric of his thought will never be able to change reality, and will never, therefore, make any progress.' Though at first glance the problem may appear extensive or gigantic, this does not mean that it is unsolvable. There is still hope for a solution: if we will believe and if we will begin the solution within ourselves! A person can only change himself, experts say. This means that we cannot directly change any of people who may be part of the problem yet this also means that the solution to the problem is right in us and hence the main hindrance towards a solution is only one: our own selves... .each one of us !

Never underestimate what a single person can do: one Anne Frank simply confided to her diary and became one of the greatest champions for racial injustice in the 20^th century; the works of one common man Mahatma Gandhi gave India its independence from Britain; the selfless compassion of one Mother Theresa took care of countless poor, otherwise hopeless people. We need not lose if we will not concede. As Helen Keller said, 'I am only one, and yet I am one. I cannot do everything and yet I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.'

This is because anyone of us can choose to be a transition person: one who will not pass on anything we believe to be incorrect though we may have experienced or seen any of these wrongs. That is the effective way of ending unwanted practices. But what effect can a little effort have on a gigantic problem? Little at first, but not nothing. No good effort towards a solution will be wasted, its effect will be there and will be felt in due time as a trim-tab does to the rudder. A trim-tab in a ship (or a plane) is the small rudder that turns the big rudder that turns the entire ship. Just as a trim-tab eventually turns the ship though the ship is enormously very much bigger than it, each of us in our “small” capacities can become a trim-tab – leading and spreading influence no matter what position we hold. We only need to believe in the infallibility of the principles that God ordained to work in the world where we live thereby not being hesitant to practice them: taking the initiative to live with integrity regardless of what other people say or do. To live with integrity is a matter of each person’s choice, and its effect is contagious! As Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, "Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."

Regarding the trim-tab attitude and spirit, Tom Peters advises: "relish the ‘little’ assignment or ‘chore’ that no one else wants! Seek it out! It’s a license for self-empowerment, whether it’s a redesign of a form or planning a weekend retreat… you can turn it into something grand and glorious…"

Taking initiative is a form of self-empowerment. It is the means by which you increase your influence. No matter what the issue, problem or concern you have, you can empower yourself by taking initiative in some way. Be sensitive, be wise, be careful regarding timing, but do something about the situation. Avoid complaining, criticizing or being negative; be especially weary of absolving yourself from responsibility and simply blaming others for failures. We live in a culture of blame… so taking responsibility means swimming against the current. Yes, as Mother Theresa said, "Few of us can do great things, but all of us can do small things with great love." This life is given to each of us as an opportunity to have some worth, to leave a legacy. Indeed, that’s our destiny. It’s just that there are people who choose to avoid his/her destiny. Yet, as Gandhi said, "We must become the change we seek in the world."

Your opportunity is before you: don’t you want to meet your destiny? The choice is yours!

~ Sir Magi

 

Reference:
1. Covey, Stephen R. "The 8th Habit" Free Press, New York, 2004

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