“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”
–Will Rogers
Apathy and inaction are problems that we must all guard against, but some of us are more prone to these pitfalls than others. Most of us have good intentions, but those intentions are sometimes offset by our tendency to procrastinate.
Each of us is a unique creation of God, and I believe that God has a special role for each of us to play. Just as actors like to say, “There are no small parts, only small players,” there are no small roles in life. Our primary role may be to be a good parent, friend, neighbor or employee. On the other hand, we may be destined to make major contributions to the world in such fields as science, education, literature or government. Whatever our role may be, the important thing is to use whatever talents we have as effectively as possible.
If each and every one of us plays the role we have been given to the best of our ability, we can change the world. Just as a mighty river is made up of a massive number of tiny raindrops, major progress in the world is the result of the combined efforts of large numbers of individuals using whatever talents they have. Most of us can accomplish a lot more than we think during our lifetimes. In order to do so, we must first get ourselves on the right track and then move forward, because “if you just sit there you’ll get run over.”
Some people take the attitude that they are entitled to live their lives anyway they please, and that they have no obligation to use their special talents for the betterment of mankind. Legally, this may be true. But don’t we have some moral obligation to our fellow human beings for having the opportunity to live in a prosperous and free country?
It all boils down to the age-old question, “What is the purpose of life?” We’re all entitled to our own opinion on this issue. Some individuals believe that the world owes them a living and happiness, and they spend their entire lives trying to get as much as possible for themselves out of life. I don’t agree with that view, and I don’t believe that such people find very much true happiness as they journey through life.
It is my belief that our main purpose in life is to help reduce the suffering of those around us, and to do whatever we can to make this a better world for both the present and future generations. We all benefit from the contributions of people who have lived in the past, and I believe that we should try to leave the world a better place than we found it, for the benefit of future generations.
Think about it.
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Copyright 2024
Allen W. Smith
