Doctor Who - yes, the inspiration of this blog post!

I don't watch or read the news very often. One of the reasons for that is that it's often depressing -- with media choosing to focus in on the bad stories that show humanity at its worst, leading me to feel like the world is a mess and there is nothing I can do about it. There's just too much. It's too overwhelming. And I'm just one person.

The problem comes when I let that become an excuse. An excuse for not doing anything. We have indeed made a mess of the world, and I cannot fix it -- but I can do something. Something to make just one person's life better, to make just one person's day brighter. Just because I can't solve the world's problems and bring peace and harmony to all, doesn't mean I can't make some impact, and I need to remember that. Remember that it all matters, and the smallest act of kindness may be more powerful that you ever know. We are all just one person, but together, we are a people, a community, who can reach out and care for one another.

My challenge to myself headed into the Christmas season and the New Year ahead -- and my challenge for you, too -- is to focus on small things I can do on a weekly or daily basis to make someone's day brighter, to let someone know that they matter.

It's a simple concept and nothing new, but I was reminded of it the other day while watching Doctor Who. Yes, you'd be amazed at the life lessons that can be gleaned from Doctor Who. Without going into the back story, there was a flashback to the time when the Doctor was the inadvertent cause of the volcanic eruption of Mount Versuvius, which we know from history destroyed the whole town of Pompeii. The Doctor's companion, Donna, begged him to go back and save someone -- not the whole town -- but just save someone. Here's a clip for your viewing pleasure:



It reminded me that we are responsible to do the good that we can do. We can't do it all on our own, but each of us can do something.

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." - Romans 12:6-8

As I was thinking about this post, something else popped into my head -- a song, that I had to look up because I knew only the words -- "Make someone happy...make just one someone happy".



This Christmas, let's take some time to think of just one someone whose holidays you can make a little bit brighter. Send a card. Give a gift to someone who wouldn't be expecting it. Invite someone over if you know they are going to be alone. Call up a friend who may have a hard time getting through the holidays after the loss of a loved one. Let someone know that you care. Give an extra donation to a charity. Smile and give a friendly greeting to a stranger. Big or small, any act of kindness and giving can impact the world in a positive way. You may be just one person, but you have what it takes to help just one person.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11