I recently stumbled on a quote that has become my mantra and I have made a commitment to do all that I can to make a difference in this world. That quote is by Edward Hale who was a Unitarian minister in the late 1800s.

His quote: “I am only one; but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do”

So often we make excuses for why we can’t. I can’t volunteer at a shelter — I just don’t have time. I can’t make a donation to the homeless — I haven’t had a raise in a year. Oh no! I can’t give my favorite coat from college to a stranger! I am so sentimental about those kinds of things. You think I am gonna give up my family Thanksgiving to go feed those people?!

Excuses, excuses upon sad excuses.

Those of us who have been blessed time and time again sometimes take our blessings for granted. We may not make the money we feel we are worth but we are not living in a cardboard box or picking through a garbage can for food.

Every day we wake we should first say how very thankful we are for what we do have and second reach out to help someone less fortunate.

When I see shows on TV like Basketball Wives it truly saddens me that the world has become so shallow that we glorify those who only think of themselves and no one else.

We can do much better people. I pray we all get that message real soon.

The Turtlequeen