10-9-01, Sunday Journal, 357 words

 At a real tough time in my life a friend did a small favor for me and I wrote in my journal, "Never underestimate the value of removing one straw from the camel's back."

Sometimes we feel so desperate and alone. We know that the smallest additional burden will break our back. How magnificent is a small touch of love at such a time. It can make the difference in us going under or going on.

We tend to look for opportunities to do something sensational. Such opportunities seldom happen. But never a day passes that we cannot do something for someone in the tentacles of a octopus-level problem.

So go for removing one straw from someone's load. It's something you can always do.

ROSA'S SECRET

Rosa Parks refused to go to the back of the bus and it started the Montgomery boycott. It led to the dropping of segregation in public transportation.

It may appear that her decision to not give up her seat to a white passenger was an angry spur-of-the-moment decision. She tells us otherwise: "On the day I was arrested I had made up my mind what I felt was the right thing to do."

She explained, "When one's mind is made up this diminishes fear. Knowing what must be done does away with fear."

I understand this principle and I'm sure you do, too. Just think of times when you have been certain you knew what had to be done. Remember the calm resolve, the center of certainty, the iron will that took control of your being.

She had been meeting with a group of black and white citizens determined to change the dehumanizing practice of black people having to give up their seats to white passengers. She had grown the courage to

take her stand. It was a calm, deliberate process.

Examples of courage hearten us. At times when I have needed to take a stand, remembering Rosa has often put the grit in my craw to get it on.

As she says, "Knowing what must be done does away with fear."

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