So That Others May Live

I just watch "The Guardian". A movie about a man named Ben Randall who became a legend of the U.S. Coast Guard and a young man named Jake Fischer who became Randall's student. After an accident from one of his mission that left not just all his crew, but the victim as well, dead, Randall took a break from being a rescue swimmer and became a teacher for the Coast Guard instead. One of his students, Fischer, is one of the best swimmers there is, maybe even better than Randall is. But Fischer has his own share of unforgettable memories that made him decide to be a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. As Fischer learns the true meaning of being a Coast Guard, he also learned how to forgive himself for the things that he could not control and to let go of the people that he cannot save.

Watching this film, I was humbled and made me question myself if I’m giving enough of myself for others, if I’m giving back enough to humanity. What have I done for the years or even past days that helped people’s lives better or even just one person? People I know and love or better yet, people I don’t even know. There are others, like the Coast Guard rescue swimmers, who have dedicated their lives and even gave it up, “so that others may live”.

I realized we don’t have to be a coast guard to be a legend or a hero. Everyday we get opportunities to be a “legend”, but most of the time, we simply ignore it because it’s out of our comfort zone or we’re too busy and we don’t have any time to waste.

Why not the next time you see an old lady standing inside a bus, offer her your seat or a hungry child on the street and give him your leftover instead of just throwing it away. Or even a lonely pal, why not take some time to listen or just “be there”. You might brighten up somebody’s day or even save a life.

We can be a legend everyday, if we just take the time and give a little part of ourselves. The life we save might be our own.