YOU IS

A few months ago I read a book at work. I think it might be called The Hidden Girl, but I'm not sure. Its a short story about a girl that was Jewish during WWII. She spent most of the war in a room and in a hole, with a short time in a camp; wearing only one dress the entire time. It created a lot of introspection on my life. There are so many prejudices in the world today. I thought to myself what I would do. Could I be as strong as the women who hid that girl. Would I have helped free slaves with the underground railroad. Is my faith strong enough to risk my life for another human life? How much charity do I have? Will I really live up to my covenant to stand as a witness and comfort those around me. I just watched the movie The Help tonight, and it brought up all these thoughts again. Do I take the time to make ALL other people feel important no matter the color of their skin, how much money they have, what religion, and the list goes on.

As I sit here pondering, I think it doesn't have to take a giant push for a civil rights movement, and luckily I don't have to risk my life hiding a child; but every day I can make other people feel important. I have been blessed to know that God has given me special and unique talents to help others feel His love. I often wonder if I am doing enough to use those talents. It reminded me of Dr. Seuess's book Horton Hears a Hoo; "A person is a person no matter how small." I'm not really sure if that concept is being taught in schools today. There is so much bullying. Everyone judging their neighbors instead of loving them. I just pray we don't revert back to thinking that you can get a disease from one "group" by using the same toilet. But even as I write this, there is a person judged for their skin color, a child going hungry, someone losing a battle to addiction, a person in a crowd that is deemed an outcast, another finding shelter to sleep, and a woman running from an abusive husband.

I have had an opportunity in my short life to help more people than I can count (at least I hoped I've helped) in brief small ways. I know that I alone cannot save the world, nor do I want to try, but I do want to help more people find hope. It is a dark and scary world out there. I want to bring light and peace. One of the maids in the movie told the little girl she cared for every day, "You are smart, you is kind, you is important". I just want to be one of those people for God. I just want to "be the change in the world you want to see" as Ghandi is attributed saying. I am so grateful that the priesthood has been restored and that there is a prophet in the world reminding people of that every day.

John Lennon said it best in his song Imagine. "Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can, No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man, Imagine all the people, Sharing all the world, You may say that I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one, I hope someday you'll join us, And the world will live as one."

All people matter. I wish I could to do more and God and I talk about that. It is His timetable though. I can trust that He will put me where I am needed. Above all, I hope that everyone that reads this remembers on one of those 'hard days' - YOU ARE SMART, YOU IS KIND, YOU IS IMPORTANT!