Happy American Thanksgiving.
This year I would like to talk about power.
The Oxford Dictionary defines power as ‘The ability to do something; the right, the authority; strength, force, energy.’
Why is this important, what’s this got to do with Thanksgiving, and something we should be thankful for, because each and every one of us has power, we have the ability to do something, to change ourselves and others and that is very special and very important, especially now, when times are hard and things are tough.
We have the power to improve our lives, if only each and every one of us will use it to make a difference; because we can.
Sometimes it’s easy, as a parent you have power over your kids to guide them in a positive direction, to teach them the difference between right and wrong, good and bad.
At work, some of us have power over employees and some of us only have power over the quality of work we do and how we accomplish it. But at least we are given this power, we live in a free country where we have the power to talk about religion and politics openly. We can express our views without fear, we can start and join groups to discuss our problems, explore our common interests and help others less fortunate than us; that is power.
In some countries you can get thrown in jail for meeting to talk about your viewpoints or openly practicing your religion, but not here, not in Cayman, and that is because we have power.
Look at how many people have changed other peoples lives’; some alone, others together.
Sometimes it’s something as simple as smiling at a person, getting praise from your boss, a hug from your child, other times it’s hearing a song by your favourite singer on the radio, or reading a really good book. These are all simple things that make us feel better because someone had the power to make a difference by singing a song, giving a hug or saying kind words, and they did, they made your day better, they made you feel happy or sad, lifted your spirits or made you think, just as you have the power to do the same to others and you may not even realise it.
Now we are all in a situation where those close to us need our help because of a tragedy and it is up to us to make a difference and help them, and we will, we have, because people here have a strong sense of value. We were helped many years ago, we know what it’s like and we know that we have to help. My point is, we all have the power to help, to change our lives and others’, the power to make a difference, and it’s vital that we do, that we never stop improving ourselves, helping others, making a difference.
Sometimes it’s easy to think that one person can’t change the world, but let me throw a few names out for you to think about: Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Al Gore, Bill Gates, Barrack Obama, Susan G Koeman, Henry Dunant, Bill W. and Betty Ford.
Closer to home, think about your parents and grandparents, teachers and mentors. Did these people change the way you think? Did they teach you and guide you? Did you learn from their struggles and successes? Did they help you become who you are today?
I am thankful I have, and had, people in my life like that, people who made a difference, who guided me and made me the wife, mother and person I am today, and I’m thankful that I have the power to make a difference in my own way, largely because of what I learned from those people, the lessons they taught, the examples they gave, the love and guidance they provided.
One day I was walking in town with my family and I saw a little girl standing with her mother by a store. In her hand she had a pink metallic plastic purse, the kind you get at the supermarket with fake lipstick & eye shadow inside, I looked at her and smiled and said, ‘I love your purse, it’s beautiful’ and I was rewarded with the biggest grin you have ever seen. The look of pride and happiness on that little girl’s face was amazing, all because of a simple little compliment, that ended up making us both happy.
I don’t believe we are put on this Earth for ourselves. I believe we were put here to serve others, to make the lives of those around us better, because everything we do makes a difference in ways we don’t even realise; some really good, some very badly.
It’s just a question of how each of us as individuals uses the power we have as human beings to make a positive impact in the lives of those around us.
Think about it, and be thankful.
Cathy Richardson
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