Fortune Cookie Friday: We All Play a Role

Whenever I’m feeling glum or question my existence, I take some time to add a little nature to my day. I might take a walk in the woods, feed nuts to squirrels, or watch nature shows on TV. In my younger years, I watched shows such as Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, Nature, and The Life of Birds with David Attenborough.

I get a healthy dose of whales, wildebeests, and warblers as often as possible. Although the larger mammals were most identifiable, little creatures fascinate me. Insects represent about 40% of all known living species on Earth. According to Entomologist, Dr. Randall T. Schuh, it is highly likely that the total population of ants on our planet outweighs that of all humans.

Just like the individual threads of a net in our fortune, the ants all contribute to a grand design. They might not look like much, but these tiny creatures play a massive role in our ecosystem. They aerate the soil, disperse seeds, eat a wide variety of organic material, and provide food for many different organisms.

These same itty-bitty insects remind me that we all have a part to play in this world. No matter how insignificant we may feel, we do make a difference. Not everyone can walk on the moon, or create an artistic masterpiece, but we can still give to society. As Napoleon Hill said, “If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.”

We can start by being honest, respectful, and kind. Like gears in a watch, our actions affect those around us. We are all connected, like the threads of the net. A peasant, “Hello,” a selfless act, even the mundane tasks we do at work can have an impact. Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for one person.