White Dog and The White Dog Army
Wonderful World Wednesday
White Dog looked at Quinn as he quoted Nelson Henderson, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” We had been discussing how best to go about measuring your success at making the World more wonderful.
“Most of the time you won’t even know you had an effect,” TOWD continued. “So there is not true measure, like a score, of how much of a difference you make.” “So it is not about success, it is about effort,” White Dog nodded, catching Quinn’s direction. “It is about just going out there every day and adding positive energy and hope and care wherever you can knowing that it will take root and grow and become something magnificent.”
Nuka wiggy wagged as she got caught up, “because you never know what happens after you start the ripple or plant the seed.” “And where the difference is made; where the world becomes a little better may be someplace you do not see or know,” Puff finished.
“We had the chance earlier in the week to very directly be involved in bringing hope,” YoYoMa took up the conversation. “And it feels good to know we made a difference. But sometimes you don’t even know you planted a seed much less that it will grow.”
Every day you pass dozens of people on the street, you sit near others at school or work, and you stand in line at the grocery. Each of those people is potentially sad, or depressed, or lonely, or lost…you just never know. A friendly nod could change a person’s entire day because suddenly they have received a positive exchange. For someone who lives alone your cheery “Good Morning!” as you pass them at the mailbox may be the only conversation they have all day. Stopping to pick up groceries scattered across the parking lot because of a torn bag could prevent a person from going home and yelling at their pups. You don’t see your effect; you can’t measure it on a meter; but it is there.
Sometimes it is the smile of a stranger that brightens the world. Sometimes it is a phone call from a long-absent friend checking on you that shifts the balance from horrid to wonderful. Sometimes a sincere “I hope you find strength” prevents a mugging. ..or a suicide.
It is a fact that non-wealthy households gave approx $100 BILLION last year in donations to charitable causes - 33 times the amount made in grants by the Gates Foundation. The great fiction is that most charitable giving in US comes from the wealthy, foundations and celebrities. In truth, it is a dollar or two or change given by those who must think about the impact of even a small donation has on their family budgets that feeds the hungry, shelters the homeless, rescues the animals in need, funds the research for cures… people like us plant the seeds!
It is the little things, the things that every person and pup can do just as a course of their every day routine that make a positive difference. In these times of disenfranchisement, and economic hardship, and isolation, and fear, simple kindness is a magic wand that can connect and give hope…it may even save lives. You just never know. Those seeds will, whether you walk through the forest or not, become mighty oaks that provide shade and comfort and sanctuary well past your immediate impact.
The WDA thanks you for the prayers and seeds of hope you planted for our friends in crisis. Her husband is out of medical danger but will remain hospitalized for a couple of weeks. His recovery will be a long term process and will require strength, determination, and lots of positive healing energy to get through…but there is hope and flickerings of possibility. You have made a difference in this couple’s life…thanks for making the World a Wonderful Place!