In It for Life: Maximizing Longevity
The Power of One:
Making a Difference for the World in Our Later Years (Part III)
By Tim Lybarger
“You could not remove a single grain of sand from its place without thereby…changing something throughout all parts of the immeasurable whole.”
— Fichte, “The Vocation of Man” (1800)
The purpose of this little series on The Power of One has been to reflect on how we might reframe the fear of fading personal importance in our later years. With the end of the runway in sight, do we still count? Do our lives still matter?
We looked at the cumulative power of many as the combined weight of snowflakes can break the limb of a tree. We considered how many small repeating actions, like planting a tree every day can, over years, grow a forest. And, we thought about how sharing our accrued wisdom with others through mentorship can help set a new life course for those willing listen and absorb.
Interestingly, my own reflections have brought me to a somewhat stunning and sobering conclusion – that it might all matter! All of our actions – taken or forgone, and all of our words – said or left silent, may have a power beyond what we will ever know.
The Butterfly Effect
If you’ve heard of it, it may have been in relation to the saying that when a butterfly flaps its wings on one side of the world, it may create a typhoon on the other side of the world. Well, not quite correct.
What is correct is that tiny things in complex systems can, through magnification over time, result in massive unforeseen consequences.
To me, this implies not a fading importance to my later life, but instead a growing responsibility to carefully consider each and every action I take and word I say. What I think, do and say in every circumstance may have magnificent meaning in its potential to affect the world.
Actions Untaken
He was sitting on the steps of the college administration building. I saw him as I hurried on to my car in pursuit of my very urgent agenda. He was a young man, maybe 14 or 15 years old, and in very obvious distress. He held his head in his hands, slumped between his knees. Something told me I should stop and help him. That day and that time, I let the noise of the world win out, “someone else will tend to him” I rationalized. After all, who was I to barge uninvited into someone else’s life?
It was the last I saw or heard of him and I know nothing of how things turned out for him. What I do know is that some 15 years later, I cannot get the thought out of my mind that I should have stopped and offered my help. It may have made all of the difference for him, and by extension, the ripples of his life.
Little Thoughts and Big Things
In 1620, the Mayflower with its 102 passengers and 30 crew members landed on Cape Cod. After one year, only 53 remained alive to secure the Plymouth colony. Today, 401 years later, depending on how it is calculated, there are between one and 30 million people in this country who can claim direct lineage to those 53 original settlers. While the actions of those original 102 Pilgrims can hardly be considered tiny, the whole thing had to begin with someone having the idea and sharing it with another, who shared it with another, until a critical mass moved into action with results that they could not begin to comprehend at the time.
Imagine
To conclude this meditation on Making a Difference for the World in Our Later Years, I offer out a challenge, for myself and others willing to view things differently. As we go through the day, determine to be present and notice what is happening in the moment. Let’s think about others and their circumstances, not just ourselves and our precious agendas.
Now, imagine that whatever we do or don’t do; say or don’t say will have a significant, long-term impact on this world and the people in it. Then commit to responding to the situation in accordance with our higher selves.
Doing so will, over time, determine the kind of legacy we leave when the runway fades behind us.
Image courtesy bing.com
