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Sunday, August 1, 2010

Change




"Be the change you want to see in the world" is a famous quote by one of the most inspiring men in our world's history...Ghandi. Let those words resonate with you for a minute & then remember that a small change can make a big difference. Literally in this case. Last week my faith in the world was dramatically altered & not in a good way. On two separate occasions people had an opportunity to help albeit in a small way but help nonetheless & these people chose to take the low road. What's really sad though is knowing that the two people I saw choose to be some of the lowest forms of life on the evolutionary food chain are probably just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to someone wanting to make a difference. Allow me to share with you what I had the unfortunate opportunity to witness. The first moment that made my skin crawl was @ a local pet store. The cashier rang the gentleman (let's be realistic here...this is probably the only time this sack of crap is ever going to be referred to as a gentleman so I thought I would allow him is one moment in the sun) in front of me up & his total was somewhere around $8. This store always has a campaign going where you can round your purchase up to the nearest dollar to benefit a particular animal cause. On this day it was greyhounds. Rounding up to $8 for this asshole (see I told you the gentleman comment was a one time thing) would have required him to fork over, are you ready for this, a staggering...30 cents. Now I know what you're thinking, "It's just 30 cents Andrew. What's the big deal?" And if you actually asked that question out loud you need your ass kicked too. "Be the change you want to see in the world." You have an opportunity to help abused animals by donating 30 freaking cents & you say no!? I guess the change this guy wants to see in the world is none! As long as everything is smooth & average in this poor excuse for a human being's life then who cares if any other creatures are suffering. Have you ever seen an animal that's been abused? I hope you haven't because it is one of the most horrifying sites you will ever witness in your life. If you haven't consider yourself lucky. They say every cloud has a silver lining & rest assured this little situation does too. The local pet store I was referring to is that silver lining. Every week this store picks a "pet project" (no pun intended) & then donates the money they raise to that specific cause. On behalf of all of us that have rounded up time & time again I would like to say thank you for giving a damn! The world needs more people like you guys! "Be the change you want to see in the world."

The second situation I was "lucky" enough to be a part of was just as disturbing. I was in line behind a lady (same as the gentleman comment I can assure you) & when her total rung up she paid with cash. This store was promoting their literacy program & asking for any spare change. Hell they weren't even asking you to round up! Once the woman was given her change back (all 60 cents) the cashier asked if she would like to donate some change to their literacy program to which this absolute pathetic excuse for a human being replied simply, "no." I'm sorry did you just say no!? Let me get this straight. Little Billy has an opportunity to learn to read if people like you actually gave a damn about anything other than your sad self but it's way too much to ask for you to drop 60 freaking cents in the literacy jar. What change was this woman trying to be? The answer to that riddle is easy. Obviously she wants to see more illiteracy in this world. Our children are already having to live in a world that scares the hell out of me but the very least we could to is donate some spare change to help them READ!! Yet again though there is a silver lining. This store wants to help people learn to read. Knowledge is power & these people realize that & want to make the world a better place. "Be the change you want to see in the world."

Each & every day you have a chance to make a difference in @ least one person's life. Read that sentence again. You actually have the gift to make a difference in someones life every day! What an amazing opportunity we have as human beings! It's up to you whether or not that change is positive or negative. Something as simple as a few cents can make a huge difference because all those little coins add up. I promise no matter how bad you think your life or current situation is someone out there has it far worse. Why not help them? Would 60 cents keep you from eating dinner? Probably not. Would helping one child learn to read help make the world a little bit of a better place? Probably so. Michael Franti sings in one of his songs, "Reach out a hand to somebody needs a hand & reach out a heart to somebody torn a part. It's hard this livin' this life we've been given." Have any truer words ever been spoken? And keep in mind that the positive changes you make in this world don't always have to be monetarily. Reach out that hand to someone that needs it. Give them your heart so they know @ least one person out there cares. What's the very worst thing that could happen to you? Someone doesn't say thank you for your help is really about all I can think of & if you're giving or helping someone for a thank you then you need the most help of all. Remember, "Be the change you want to see in the world."