The Value of One

Not too long ago a major airlines did a study and determined that if they could add just one additional passenger to every flight for one year, they could increase their profits by $114 million . That's amazing. Seems like a reasonable goal. It also highlights the value of a single person.

Too often, the busyness of our world, our high ideals and desire to make great personal achievements, causes us to overlook the individuals around us. Do we value every singe person with whom we have contact? Do we value them for 'who they are' or are we only looking to determine their value based on 'what they can do to promote our cause?'

It requires a significant amount of time and effort to value others. We have to be intentional about listening, and really hearing, what our comrades are saying. To value another person means that we respect them, possibly inspite of our differences of opinion, or goals in life.

I have found that it is not my responsibility to estimate another's value. Becuase they share the same space, breath the same air and have similiar basic needs as I, their value is established. It is my privilege to applaud their value and just maybe, in lauding another, my value will increase.