Whenever I have one of those days where I am feeling listless and not useful, something shows up to slap me out of my conundrum. Just before going to bed one night, I watched one of my late-night show homeboys, Stephen Colbert. His two guests were Chef AndrĂŠs and Ron Howard, discussing their recent trip to Ukraine. This segment was a simple reminder of the reason why we cannot get bogged down in our woes because there is someone in a far dire situation.
JosĂŠ RamĂłn AndrĂŠs Puerta, a Spanish chef and founder of World Central Kitchen, heads a non-profit devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters. I was watching him recently when he reluctantly allowed Ron Howard (my Opie Taylor from The Andy Griffith Show) to do a documentary about his organization. He was reluctant in the beginning because he didn’t want the attention on him but on his mission to feed people in disaster-stricken areas just when they needed it. Ron Howard was extremely compassionate and understanding as he captured the essence and heartbeat of volunteerism.
Chef AndrĂŠs empathetically stated that everyone can do something, whether it’s picking up litter in your community, planting a tree, or helping an older person put groceries in their car. Each of us has been given something to work with, regardless of who we are. Chef AndrĂŠs noted in his recent trip to Ukraine that a kid volunteered to deliver meals on his bicycle to victims who were hungry and bunkered down in a temporary shelter. He would deliver the meals and then come back to deliver more. The next day, the boy was back with his bicycle asking what he could do. Even when the kitchen where they were preparing the meals was destroyed by a Russian bomb, they found somewhere else to set up shop and continue their mission.
This was a kick-in-my-butt reminder that determination is a powerful and positive motivator that changes our lives.
Feed My Sheep
Children, children have you any food?
it’s a new day and time for us to rise,
cast your nets, stretch out your hands
feed my sheep, feed my people.
For when I was hungry, did you feed me?
For when I was thirsty, did you give me a drink?
For when I was a stranger, did you take me in?
For when I was naked, did you clothe me?
For when I was in prison, did you come to me?
Feed my sheep, feed my people.
Inasmuch as you did these things to one of the least
my brethren, you’ve done it unto The Lord
when you’ve done these things out of love,
from the depths of your compassionate heart
together we can change the world
together we can make a difference
feed my people, feed my sheep
well done, good and faithful servant.
Š Kym Gordon Moore, 2022
âDetermination is the wake-up call to the human will.â â Tony Robbins
