Making a Difference on your Fourth of July

What are you doing tomorrow to celebrate the Fourth?

While jogging this morning, I saw so much trash on the road. How can people think they can just throw a can or an empty bag out the window of their car?

Tomorrow morning to celebrate the Fourth, I’m going to take an hour out of my day to clean up my neighborhood. It’s a little thing that I can do to hopefully make a difference. Better yet, if you’re celebrating and going to the beach, why not spend an hour cleaning up our beaches before you spend the rest of the day enjoying our oceans?

I remember an email circulating, sharing about how an old man was walking on the beach, picking up fish that washed up by the shore and throwing them back in the ocean.

A little boy crossed his path and asked him what he was doing.

The old man said, “I’m throwing the fish back in the ocean where they belong.”

“Why?” the little boy asked.

“Because our little efforts make a big difference.”

“You really think so?” asked the boy doubtingly.

As the old man threw another fish in the ocean he said, “It sure made a difference for that little guy.”

There are so many little ways we can make a difference. Volunteer at a library. Be a Big Brother or Big Sister. Give your time and beautify our forests, ecological preserves, parks and beaches. 1-800-volunteer.org is a great way to get plugged in around your neighborhood. And remember, it’s as little as giving one hour a month. That’s it. And believe me, it’ll make a big difference, especially a big difference inside of you, where it counts.