Reading about the 31-year-old “rogue trader” arrested in London for unauthorized transactions that cost the Swiss Bank UBS $2 billion caused me to think about the power of one person. I’m not talking about great heroes and villains who changed the course of history, but smaller acts by ordinary people.
There are lots of angles to thinking about the power of one. Edward Everett Hale said, “It’s true I am only one but I am one. And the fact that I cannot do everything will not prevent me from doing all that I can do.”
An unknown philosopher took a different approach: “To the world you are only one person, but to one person you can be the world.”
I recently came upon a poem by another unknown author called “Just One.”
One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey.
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what’s true,
One life can make a difference,
And that life can be you!
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
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Here are some bonus quotes on the Power of One:
The power of one man or one woman doing the right thing for the right reason, and at the right time, is the greatest influence in our society. — Jack Kemp
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. — Margaret Mead
It’s okay to tell people it can’t be done so long as you get out of the way of people who are doing it. — Michael Josephson