Sunday, May 6, 2001
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Sunday, May 6, 2001 |
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Small things can make a big difference By JUSTIN KOLLMEYER A few years ago, there was an enormous pine tree that grew in the mountains of Colorado. It was only half-grown when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. A close study revealed that it had been struck by lightening 14 times and survived centuries of Colorado's tough winters. Age didn't destroy it. Avalanches didn't move it. Fires didn't kill it. Was it indestructible? Then it happened. It was done in by a beetle, a little pine beetle that was so small you could crush it between your thumb and finger. Little things can have a big impact. Often it's the little things that determine the difference between success and failure. The space shuttle Columbia's crew had to cancel two planned space walks when a hatch jammed during its Dec. 1996 flight. The cancelled space walks had been intended as dress rehearsals for space station construction. Three days after Columbia returned from the 18-day science mission, engineers discovered the problem the troublesome shuttle had a loose screw. Actually, the half-inch screw fell from its hole and became stuck in the gears of the hatch, probably during lift-off. I wondered how many months of training, funding, researching and planning had gone down the tubes because of one little screw. The little things we do can make a difference, also. An 83-year-old man named Ernie Lamere singlehandedly transformed a weed-choked, publicly owned service road along the Los Angeles River into a lush neighborhood park called "Ernie's Walk." This stretch of river was littered heavily until LaMere complained so much the city finally cleaned it up. Then one day while working in his garden, he had more flowers than he could plant. So he planted the extras along the freshly cleared riverbank. Then he got a vision of how the entire area could look. Now the area features tree-shaded benches, beautiful flowers, lovely scenery. Lamere said he did it to prove to the world that one man can make a difference. Often it comes down to one act of kindness, one word of encouragement, one expression of gratitude, or one act of determination. Small things are important because they often lead to big results. For instance, if you want a great marriage, do the small things that nurture and enrich. Say often the three small words, "I love you!" Or better yet, "Let's eat out!" Be kind, considerate and thoughtful. One man said, "I'd die for my wife." She doesn't want you to die; she just wants you to share the remote control. Or, maybe turn off the ballgame and go for a walk. Your kids don't want your big gifts. They really want your time, approval and acceptance of who they are. Someone wrote "The Power of One": "One song can spark a moment, one flower can wake the dream, "One tree can start a forest, one bird can herald spring. "One smile begins a friendship, one handclasp lifts a soul, "One star can guide a ship at sea, one word can frame a goal. "One vote can change a nation, one sunbeam lights a room, "One candle wipes out darkness, one laugh will conquer gloom. "One step must start each journey, one word must start a prayer, "One hope will raise our spirits, one touch can show you care. "One voice can speak with wisdom, one heart can know what is true, "One life can make a difference, you see it's up to you! I heard about a new church building that was the rave of the community. People stopped to admire its beauty. Up on the roof, a little nail heard the people praising everything about the lovely edifice except the nail. No one even knew he was there. He became so jealous that he decided to quit. So he released his hold, slid down the roof and fell into the mud. That night it rained heavily. Soon the shingle that had no nail blew away, and the roof began to leak. The water streaked the walls. The plaster began to fall, the carpet was ruined and the pulpit Bible was so soaked it was unusable. All because a little nail didn't realize the difference it made. You do make a difference, and the little things you do can yield big results.
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