Chica Dreams

The Power of One is about you. The person reading this. If you’ve ever been in a place in life that you felt alone or lost your bearings, this is the pep talk. It’s about the power of the individual.

What is the Power of One?

Formula: Cause + Effect = The Power of One; or P1.

P1 is akin to the pebble thrown into the pond. Remember Capra’s, It’s a Wonderful Life? This is the Power of One represented in film. The protagonist of this film, George Bailey played by Jimmy Stewart was taken out of the life picture through divine intervention. He was given the gift of insight and the ability to see the direct result of his influence. If only we all had such sight.

Interconnectedness. We are all related in one way or another through our actions. Your actions affect others. Only if you hide yourself away in a mountain cave will you have no affect on others, because no one is around you. Though some things may seem insignificant, when you’re interacting and pay attention, you realize how others relate to you.

I could mention names of well-known individuals who through their own efforts made a difference in the world. We know these people, but find them the exception to the rule. Ghandi, the Dali Lama, Mother Theresa and Einstein. They were all exceptional in their own right, but I’m under the impression that through perserverance, determination and grit, we can all be exceptional.

Every morning I listen to NPR’s Morning Edition. A few months ago, while listening, there was a story of a woman in her 80s who decided she wanted more interaction with others, so she made a sign with “Conversation here” written on it and set up office at a local park with the sign sitting in front of her bench. Incredibly, she drew people in. People who needed someone to talk to. And she listened to them, had her conversation and when she was tired, took her sign down and went home.

The point is, she did something. Though it may sound like a silly thing to do, the woman is a maverick. She had an idea, went with it and it worked. She filled a need not only for herself, but for others who needed someone to talk to. She made a difference to those individuals who needed her and to the community.

What can you do? Here’s a short list:

Help anyone do anything.
Volunteer.
Smile at someone and say hi.
Pay a compliment.
Tell someone you love, you really do.
Plant something.
Start a blog.
Talk to someone who needs talking to.
Write a poem and give it to someone.
Tell someone else that they are important and make a difference. Tell them about the Power of One.

And if you need more ideas, drop me a line, I have a long list.

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