One
I’ve been working on an article (soon to be published elsewhere) about the value of one person. What exactly is one person worth? Can one person, alone, really accomplish anything of true significance? People have proven that they can excel in the workplace, support their families, and create incredible works of art. In groups, we have shown that we can build communities, even nations. As an assemblage, we make laws, pass them, and enforce them. We elect our leaders, and sometimes, we decide that they are no longer worthy of their post. Most of the decisions we make regarding the country we live in, are done as a group. A majority of the choices we construct concerning the human community as a whole are made by a majority. So where does the individual stand in all of this?
We are often reminded that it takes millions to move a mountain, an army of like-minded individuals to make a significant difference. But how does this happen? How do a million people get together and make a decision about something? Maybe if enough messages were sent via television or the internet, people would take notice and join together. This seems to have worked well for McDonald’s. They, as a corporation, have sent out a constant barrage of messages over the years, and in turn have convinced billions of people to eat their food. Genius! Could one person, alone, have done that?
Perhaps if one person stood at the highest point in their particular city, and had at their disposal a microphone and a gigantic set of speakers, he/she could influence a good number of people to support a particular idea the way they do, and act on it. It’s doubtful, however, that they could get billions of people to support their cause. Unless, of course, they were incredibly charismatic and had really, really big speakers 
. So what, exactly, can one person really hope to accomplish?
It could be, that individuals who are trying to make a great difference in the world should throw in the towel, wrap it up, as they can’t hope to compete with large groups and corporations. Maybe they should focus on playing the lotto, and if they win, use the earnings to buy television air time like that sly company, McDonald’s does. Or perhaps, looking at the model of how large groups and corporations handle their business is not the way to go at all.
What is it that each of us, as individuals control? We control ourselves. That is really all we have power over. So, while it is ultimately tempting to look externally for answers and successful models, it may be exponentially more prudent to focus inward, instead. Rather than grabbing a microphone and speakers, and raging off into the distance, why not just sit down quietly, and consider a more productive approach?
But first, we need to address the fact that most of us don’t even know what it is we want, or what power we actually possess as individuals. Do we all, at the core of our being, really just want to sell hamburgers? Not that there would be anything wrong with that, but I would guess that there are other, more interesting goals to be reached. Imagine for a moment, what it would be like if all of us, at the same time, reflected for one hour on what things are truly important to us in life. I have a hunch that the entire human community would move at least one baby-step closer to a greater, more satisfying level of evolution.
It could just be that as an individual, you possess something greater than any group. It may be that you alone can accomplish far more than you’ve allowed yourself to believe is possible. Why not ask yourself and find out?
Nicholas Pallos
Nicholas, I was just thinking about this on the way home from work tonight. I was listening to NPR, and thinking about how I used to want to be an author and change the world. Now, my life is all about my family and my future students. It is not about me, but rather my influence on individuals. By learning to focus on myself (as you mentioned), I have hopefully learned to be an example for my children and students. I have noticed that the more I do this, the more people look “up” to me. I no longer have the desire to be great, but to cultivate the seeds of greatness in my hands. These souls being born are the future mountain-movers. It is up to us to tread lightly and mindfully in their soil, and allow our roots and height to guide and protect them as they grow.
Yeah, the “change the world” story runs deep in a lot of people. It comes from a genuine place, but realistically is too big a load for anyone’s shoulders. You may not have the desire to be great anymore, but you’re embodying greatness by just doin’ what you’re doin’! Thanks Jen ~
I have stopped my step to look at one beautiful flower. All of the focus of my being has centered there, and in doing so, my day improves… shifts.
If that one flower can cause me to pause by merely fullfilling it’s role to worship in it’s splendor, what more can we as individuals do?
I think you are right, Nicholas. When we stand in the power of one, even in that stance of being, we are not alone. We posess the love imprint of every person we have encountered on our path, and of every unique talent we have decided to grow,
The greatest of movements begin with one. One person choosing to honor their calling, express their nature, cultivate their gifts. As one, we can offer the world our celebratory offering that no one could offer in our place.
As we allow ourselves to bloom, we are shifting the consciousness of the entire collective. We are linked. It may not be the goal, but it is inevitable.
Let me ask you this, does one decision make a difference in our lives? Each decidsion is the building block of our lives– how we spend our time, what we choose to stand up for, where we choose to live, who we let into our circle. Similarly, does one individual make a difference? Yes. A thousand times yes!!
Let your call be heard upon the mountain tops!