As I drive and fly I am becoming more and more grateful for podcasts. Yesterday, I listened to a TED Talk on gratitude. One of the speakers was Mark Davis, a volunteer firefighter, who described his first call out to a fire on a cold rainy night. The second story of the house was in flames, and on arrival Davis asked his Captain what he could do. He was sent in to retrieve a pair of shoes for the homeowner, who was standing outside shoeless. Another firefighter was sent in to rescue the homeowner’s dog. The latter was obviously a more “heroic” effort and Davis reports feeling some envy, some thought as to the relative smallness of his assigned task. Both tasks were accomplished. Later the homeowner wrote the fire department thanking the firefighters for saving her house. She specifically mentioned the recovery of the pet, and also noted that the firefighters were even so kind as to get her a pair of shoes as she stood outside.
All that is background for the quote that resounded with me as I was driving through east Texas yesterday:
“It is so easy to miss the opportunity to do something good while looking for the opportunity to do something great…. Not every day offers us the opportunity to save a life, but each day offers the opportunity to effect one.”
Davis is of course correct. Abundant opportunities to do good are right there if I pay attention. They come in all sizes and shapes, and pop up in even the most unexpected places. I may miss most of them on a given day, but that’s okay. Good is good, even if there is a “better” or “best.” Do some good.
It occurs to me... 