Last night I watched "Inconvenient Truth" with our 13 yr old son. He had wanted to rent it, which happily surprised me b/c I didn't think he'd be interested. I'd seen it before, but watched it again with him. It's such a powerful movie, for many different reasons.

Aside from all the valuable information about global warming, however, one of the most interesting things for me to consider was the bit about how Gore had been so heavily influenced in college by his professor who had been tracking the rising temperatures, since the 50's. Essentially, that one professor helped to chart the course of Gore's life work. Gore was inspired to take action and learn more about the subject because he understood the importance. He's since gone on to become a major educational force in the world, in part because of the influence of that one teacher. How might things be different today if Gore hadn't taken that man's class?

It's fascinating to consider the effects of one person and the difference one person can make on the world. Yes, we're all connected and the ways in which our lives intersect and weave together is inspiring and yet it also gives me pause, because it makes me think about how important it is to bring that awareness of our connection with each other into our day-to-day relationships. For me, anyway, there's an unspoken call to act and speak more responsibly, knowing that in my own small way I am helping to make the world a better place.

We are here to lift each other up and remember our common humanity. What ripples do YOU send out?

edit: spelling. (thanks, RoBear! )