Roberto Clemente was a man that DID what he said which gave him the ability to SAY what you see above and it carry some "weight" with it.
In case you don't know who this man was, let me tell you just a little about him and then do some research for yourself. His life was cut short at the age of 38 on December 31 (New Year's Eve), 1972.
No, he wasn't involved in some sort of accident coming from a New Year's Eve party and, no, he wasn't killed in some "high profile" shooting among elite athletes and "stars" like you often see in today's world.
Roberto Clemente died in an airplane crash while delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. And, friend, this was not a "one-time thing" that he was involved in. Mr. Clemente was involved in charity work in Puerto Rico and Latin American countries during the off seasons, often delivering baseball equipment and food to those in need.
I remember watching on television when he got his 3,000th hit in the summer of 1972, just a few months before his tragic death.
So, yeah, Roberto Clemente believed in what he said and he stood behind it with his ACTIONS! He not only "talked the talk" but he "walked the walk".
Let's get real here, o.k.? WE ALL CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE in someones world! ALL OF US - no exceptions, no excuses!
It doesn't have to be done by flying to another country...there are those that are around you every single day, right in "your own back yard", that YOU can have a positive and powerful impact on RIGHT NOW.
A kind word, a smile, an interest in their life that is genuine.
Maybe get to actually know your neighbor! What? Yeah, I know. In many places this is basically unheard of because we don't want to "let anyone in" or we just don't trust people around us.
Life is not meant to be lived this way!
But, by really getting to know your neighbors and connecting with them, you will be aware of things that you may can do to help "make a difference" in their world even if it is something that we may consider "small".
And, who knows, perhaps one day you will find that same neighbor knocking on your door ready to help YOU in some small way.
We live in a world - for the most part - that has become isolated and, as a human race, we have suffered due to that fact.
We were meant to interact and be involved with others around us! We were put on this earth FOR each other, not to HIDE FROM each other.
Too many times we wait for someone else to do good when there is good all around us that we could be doing right now. Too many times we want to make excuses as to why we "can't" make a difference when there are opportunities all around us each and every day for us to make such a difference.
Be sure to listen to the podcast (see the two links below) and hear about "the money game" that you may be able to have some fun with. Oh stop it. For some of you, as soon as you read the word, "money" you said, "I CAN'T AFFORD THAT!". Why not listen first and just do what you can with what you have.
Fair enough?
What is the value of YOUR existence on this earth based on what YOU are doing to make a difference in the lives of those around you?
Yeah, pretty powerful question, isn't it?
Think about it and don't be afraid to reach out and, first of all, TOUCH the lives of those around you and see what happens next.
You'll be glad that you did, friend...you'll be glad that you did.
And, as you go about doing good, whatever you do, always be sure to...
"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"
Mike
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