It's About the Little Things

While yesterday's theme was focused on being a community, today was about individual choices that can make an impact that last well into the future. We have been fortunate enough to meet some extraordinary individuals who have inspired us to change our perspective on the world.

 

We've talked a lot in recent days about the little things. Through many of our experiences we have begun to notice how great an impact even the smallest word or action can have on the "big picture". On the way to Warsaw this morning, we visited the site of a post war anti-semitic occurrence that claimed the lives of more than 42 city residents. While the facts are disputed even today, the event was essentially a result of the smallest of lies. The result only re-iterates the fact that one word and one action can fuel deadly and destructive hatred. We discussed this issue again and again, that a single derogatory comment, while it may not be issued at a single person or group with any malicious intent, is supporting a greater agenda of hate and misunderstanding. It's about the small things, like what words we choose. This week we have been challenged to examine ourselves and our prejudices on a deeper level, acknowledging that it is these small actions that ultimately support or reject a culture of hate.

 

On the other hand, the smallest of actions can make a world of positive change. We had the privilege and honor of meeting a woman whose family has been deemed "Righteous Among the Nations" for their actions supporting Jews during the war, even when it put their life on the line. The honor was awarded to Chezlowa Yad's parents. She was a 16 year old girl in Poland during the time of the Holocaust. Instead of turning her head and ignoring the human atrocities taking place in her community, her family opened their home to 14 Jews and gave them shelter and protection for over 3 years. She remarked to us today that her actions were never thought of as extraordinary, instead it was simply the right thing to do as a human being. All 14 people survived and lived on to have healthy families which span three generations now.

 

We can learn a lesson from both of these examples. As individuals, we have a bigger impact than it may always seem. It is about the small things.

 

With love from Warsaw, Poland... Caitlin and Anna