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.

Back

to News Home Page |