The Question of how much you could have Done

We seldom stop to think how much impact we could have on someone else's life if we'd just put our hearts and minds into it. Sometimes we are simply too occupied with ourselves to pay attention, and then we avoid thinking about others altogether so we don't feel the guilt deep inside us. But how long can you suppress these feelings? How long do you think it'll take before you wake up one morning and feel like a complete loser? For not standing up for what is right, for not loving someone deep enough.

How long will it take? Not long, I think. Because even for me, I wake up many mornings thinking just that to myself. When you get to the bottom of it, you'll find that guilt often stems from a sense of gratitude unbalanced by the act of giving back. We've all received so much, but often it is those who don't give back who feel the worst. Unless, of course, in the case that they don't feel grateful at all. If there's even a trace of morality and integrity in you, most likely your conscience will beckon you to do something.

Schindler's List, considered to be one of the finest films ever made, brings that message across in a terribly poignant way. The farewell scene at the end makes you realize what life is all about. After all, when those times of fear, courage, and compassion have finally passed, you're still left with just yourself--who you are and what you believe.

Have you done enough, with your life?

"This pin. Two people. This is gold. Two more people. He would have given me two for it, at least one. One more person. A person, Stern... for this."
- Oskar Schindler

Perhaps the first step is to recognize how fortunate and blessed you are.