One Man Can Make a Difference

"What time would it be if all the clocks stopped?" Zen question

"It is ironic that the more serious problems emanate from the more industrially advanced societies. Science and technology have worked wonders in many fields, but the basic human problems remain." Dalai Lama

It is no secret that I am a huge science fiction/fantasy fan. It is also no secret that one of my favorite shows is Doctor Who. Over the years I have worked on and run many conventions with stars from that show. I especially love the new remake of the show and find it interesting that the star of a show about a morally impregnable Time Lord is himself the son of a former moderator of the Church of Scotland and from every thing I've read is a thoroughly nice person.

One of the criticisms I've always heard about science fiction from people who don't understand it is that it has no base in reality. It isn't relevant to life. It is all make believe. Many people fail to realize that the whole science fiction/fantasy genre can apply to our lives in today's world.

Friday's Doctor Who: Turn Left was an interesting show in that the Doctor barely appeared in it. What it was though was a show in which current companion Donna Noble discovered what would happen if that one man had died. It brought together many different episodes that we have seen over the last couple of years and showed what would happen if the Doctor had not been there to save the Earth. The death and destruction that occurred was horrific. One man made a difference.

I accompanied my mother to church on Saturday afternoon. By a strange coincidence we had a visiting missionary priest and his sermon was on how one man can make a difference. He had mentioned Mother Theresa and the difference she made. He talked about a priest who over the last few years has helped to build thousands of homes for poor people. He talked about another who has helped to dig wells so that people could have clean water to drink. One man making a difference.

For many the fact that a science fiction show about one man making a difference and a sermon on the same subject happened within 24 hours of each other would be just a coincidence. For me I don't believe in mere chance like that. I think that we are meant to learn a lesson and there are many different ways to teach that lesson. For some the watching of a science fiction show will teach them something for others sitting on a hard church pew will teach them the same lesson.

In my life I have always tried to make a difference and I know that on a small scale I have succeeded. It isn't enough to just live your life for yourself. You need to reach out and make a difference in the lives of others for the better. One man can make a difference.

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