Stand Up

It was my great privilege to witness a speech given by the courageous Paul Rusesabagina. He is known for his brave acts done to save over a thousand lives during the Rwandan Genocide that occured in 1994. In his speech he told his story from his own lips which is well known in its adaption into the film entitled "Hotel Rwanda." During the genocide, Rusesabagina used his hotel to protect over a thousand people whose lives were saved because of his efforts. He and the refugees were threatened many times to evacuate, but through Rusesabagina's courage and the grace of God, their lives were spared. His speech conveyed a few messages to me. One was that there is opposition in all things. There will always be evil in the world trying to destroy us and bring us down. On the lighter side, there will always be good people in the world, people like Paul Rusesabagina who do things for others, risking all that they have, even life. Another was the difference that one man can make for others. We too can have such an effect on people's lives. Maybe not in such extreme of circumstances, but in the little things . Everyday we come across "refugees" who need to be protected from danger. We can help. We can make a difference. Rusesabagina's final message to all was to "stand up". "If you don't stand up then the world will fail," he said and committed all to "Stand up". It gave me a determination to help change the world in the best way that I can, by just being me, the best me, one day at a time.