Making a Difference

I watched part of a video recently that was both enlightening and heart-felt.

It was one of those events where the mall or major retail store looks typical with shoppers buying and grazing and suddenly one of the previously unnoticed shoppers starts singing. From across the counter another joins in. Then another, and another.

It is called by some a “mob sing.” It seems like after the last several months the event might want to change its name. The protests and related activity have put a dim light on the word mob. Regardless, what caught my attention is the numerous people who were confident enough to burst out in song were led by one person, or so it appears. People were making their way from shoes to casual-wear busy with “retail therapy” or gift shopping before the holiday when they atmosphere changed.

Granted, the apparent one person didn’t just start singing in hopes someone would join in. That is the affect resulting from practice.

The enjoyment, heart-felt moment, is when you put yourself in the shopper’s shoes for a moment, and feel the mood change all because of spontaneous music. When the rush for one last gift is interrupted by the singing of “O, Holy Night!” or any number of songs, for a moment even the most aggressive of shoppers feels like the Grinch whose heart began to grow. For the performance of the song, smiles came a little quicker, and glances at fellow shoppers were a little less competitive. For that moment or so, it was like rewriting the script on society.

The lesson in this video is treated as idealistic, lofty. Some would say fantasy. If I’m going to borrow from Dr. Seuss, I should include another character from WhoVille, the little girl whose curiosity led her to the Grinch and in part at least to the melting of his heart. Contrary to what many of us want to believe, one person can make a difference.

One person can start the mob chorus. One person can hold the door at a downtown cafe or business. One person can offer a smile, even when it is with the eyes from just about a mask. One person can yield the right of way to an impatient driver, even when it is not his turn at the intersection. One person can ask the question that leads to further discussion, which could lead to social change.

Always remember even a crowd started with one person deciding to go against the flow, walking his own path and telling others walk with me or stay behind.

One voice doesn’t make a difference is a complaint heard in politics. “I don’t vote because my vote doesn’t count.” By itself, maybe. But when your vote, regardless of the candidate or issue, is coupled with your neighbor’s vote, your cousin’s vote, the guy down the street, and so on, then things begin to happen. Regardless your political view, if you see the 2020 election as sound or a parade of fools, the last few elections have taught us when one upon one, upon one, upon one go to the polls, and take an active role in society, things happen.

As long as we believe one person doesn’t make a difference, that person’s opinion and those he or she influences will feel disenfranchised as well. Take a lesson from the mob sings. Sometimes change starts by one person standing up.