A Ripple Effect

It is amazing to reflect upon the number of “small things” that have played such a significant role in many of the greatest events in our history.  The list is truly unbelievable and it keeps on growing.  What is more remarkable about these “small things” is that our world as we know it today would be quite different if those thing had not occurred.   
    
Some examples of these historical “small things” that have changed our world include when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her actions on that day; even though it was something small helped to spark a city wide bus boycott and lead to a major change in public transportation policy all over the nation.  Who would have believed that during World Wars I & II, the US Military would enlist Native Americans to become radiomen or “code talkers.”  This enabled US Troops to transmit coded messages in Native American languages that could not be decoded by enemy forces. This played a key role in a number of battles that were fought and won. 
   
However, over the past decade or so we have witnessed a number of things that are affecting us greatly and continue to challenge us in terms of how we communicate, view the world, live, play and work with each other.  Some of our most daunting challenges include climate change, smart grid technology, advances in health science, communications, mass incarceration, poverty, law enforcement policy, racism, terrorism, growing foods and technical education.  Of course, we all can add to this list and more.     


And yes, we all can admit that much more needs to be done in order to correct the mistakes that are deeply rooted in our nation’s past.  With each passing day, there are opportunities for us to rebuild our communities, to restore trust in our form of government, create livable wage jobs and to continue to make America great.  For if you believe like I do, all it takes is one person with an idea, a message, a song, some hope and faith... it is all possible.  But what is truly amazing with so many “small things” is that they really turn out in the end to be the “little thing that made a big difference.”