You can make the world more beautiful

There is no limit to what you can accomplish for the good of mankind. So what can you do to make the world more beautiful? Take time to be alone, still and quiet, to listen to the echoes of your heart. What is it telling you?

Barbara Cooney’s timeless story “Miss Rumphius” tells about a girl named Alice. She would sit on her grandfather’s knee and listen to his tales of faraway places. Alice longed to travel the world. She wanted to live in a house by the sea. And Alice daydreamed of what her future would be.

“But,” her grandfather encouraged, “Alice, you must do something to make the world more beautiful.” Lost in thought, young

Alice pondered, “I wonder what that will be?”

When Alice grew up, she indeed left home. She traveled to far and distant lands. Alice met new, interesting people. She experienced exciting adventures, and she made friends with those whom she would always remember. Later, Alice even found a cozy home by the sea.

In her spare time, she gardened, planting lupine seeds in the rocky ground. Lupines were beautiful additions to her perennial garden. Miss Rumphius, as people referred to her, was “just about” perfectly happy.

Then, she recalled her grandfather’s wise words and advice. “What could I do to make the world more beautiful?” she questioned.

Springtime came, and Miss Rumphius took a long walk around a hilly landscape near her home. With delight, she stopped in awe as she saw gorgeously colored blue, soft lavender and rose-hued lupines.

“The wind must have brought the seeds from my garden here!” she exclaimed.

Immediately, Miss Rumphius had an idea. Acting upon it as soon as she arrived home, she ordered bushels of lupine seeds.

When the seeds were delivered, Miss Rumphius placed them in her pockets. And day by day, everywhere she went outdoors, she scattered the seeds.

The next year, the hillsides were covered in colorful lupines. Their spectacular flowers spiked from 12 to 20 inches in height, drawing the eye skyward with their interestingly structured flower spikes.

Every year, Miss Rumphius scattered more and more lupine seeds. Those around her called her “The Lupine Lady.” Certainly, with the countless lupines that bloom exquisitely along the coast and countryside, Miss Rumphius made the world a more beautiful place.

There is no limit to what you can accomplish for the good of mankind. So what can you do to make the world more beautiful? Take time to be alone, still and quiet, to listen to the echoes of your heart. What is it telling you? Write down the answers.

You were born to make a difference and to give this world something that no one else can. Within you there are qualities that you have not yet discovered, unlimited abilities and talents. Make the most of what you are.

Don’t let anyone or anything drag you down. You’re a special creation of God’s love, and your life has profound meaning. You are one in a million, and your worth to God is far greater than the brightest star in the sky or 10,000 worlds.

No matter the circumstance, regardless of what stage of life you are in, despite past struggles, God is not finished with the great plan He has for you.

Don’t be regretful of what you might have done or could have been. Think well of yourself. When you undervalue yourself, you end up settling for less than God’s best for you.

Move beyond self-imposed boundaries and see the worth in yourself that God sees in you. From God’s perspective, you’re strong, fully adequate, competent and valuable, “fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14).

Keep your mind on thoughts of faith, hope, joy and expectancy. See the possibilities; see solutions. It’s not too late.

Think about only what you’d like to experience and speak words that you want to see manifested. Then, be on the lookout every day to share yourself, your gifts and your blessings with others.

I like this quote from Helen Keller: “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”

You never know what your kind gesture, big or small, will do, or where a creative, selfless idea might lead. While shopping at a retail store, I made a donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Then I thought about a story I read awhile back about Danny Thomas.

He grew up very poor and with a heart of compassion. He saw children in his neighborhood pass away from many illnesses. Thomas faced difficulties, rejections and seemingly hopeless situations. And as a starving, struggling actor, his despair grew. At times, he wondered if he should give up on his acting dreams.

But rather than quitting, Thomas prayed to St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes.

“Show me my way in life,” he implored. Next, he made a sincere promise in prayer. Thomas vowed that if he found success so he could provide for his wife and family, he’d open a shrine dedicated to St. Jude.

Soon thereafter, he began finding work. And little by little, he enjoyed career success. Never forgetting the pledge he made to St. Jude, Thomas and his wife began traveling the country to help raise funds to build his lifelong dream. His past struggles prepared him for the victories ahead.

The shrine turned out to be the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The hospital has brought hope and healing to families. It provides a place for children who are battling health issues to be treated and has saved the lives of many children everywhere.

Like Danny Thomas, everything you’ve gone through has prepared you for the breakthroughs to come. God’s great plan for you far exceeds a transitory tough time.

As you persist and let love and service be the driving force in your life, you will experience true and complete joy. Moreover, you’ll help countless people in the process.

Today is a new day. So wake up each morning and thank God for everything He has bestowed upon you, for being the person that you are and all that He is going to help you accomplish for the good of others in the future.

A new chapter begins now, and it is only the start of wonderful things for your future. God bless you as you strive to make the world more beautiful.