I am only one

I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.  ~ Helen Keller

I have loved this quote for years, and it can apply to so many things and situations.  I watched a documentary on the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico last night and I was so sad at the horrible destruction caused by greed for money and cheap fuel, but I felt helpless to do anything about it. And then I remember this quote. Maybe I can't fix the oil spill, but my daily decisions make a difference. Odds are pretty good that I can't boycot oil and gas entirely, but I can choose to walk a bit more and drive a bit less.  Will that stop climate change or prevent more oil disasters, probably not, but it can't hurt.  I am still one and while I can't see myself becoming a tree-hugging, bike peddling, organic food growing, earth mother; I can see myself being a little bit greener in 2011.

The same holds true in other areas I care about. I can't solve world hunger and I admit I cry everytime I see those World Vision Infomercials on TV.  I can do something. I can buy an extra case of soup at the grocery store for the local food bank. I can buy my son four birthday presents instead of five and donate the extra money to charity.  It might not make a big difference in the statistics, but I like to believe that even the small acts of charity and kindness matter to the people on the receiving end.

As the old year comes to a close and new year is around the corner it is always a time for me to reflect on the past year and make plans, lay intentions and have hopes. (I don't like the term resolution, it so inflexible and permanent, which life never is!)  So in the new year, I am going to use my 'one' more effectively. Because I can't do everything, I refuse to be paralyzed with sadness, complacency or inaction. I will do something that I CAN do.

Blessings on you and your family this holiday season!