Be the River

Greetings Lions,

How does a stream become a river? It begins as a trickle of snow melt at the top of a mountain and flows downward, picking up more water as it runs, joining other streams. It wears away rock and soil as it flows, carving a path and shaping the landscape until one day it’s a roaring river.

Lions, this is how change happens. Slowly. Over time. And by joining together.

Like most of you, I have long been trying to lessen my impact on our planet. I recycle, I reuse items before replacing them, and I try to reduce my overall consumption. I want our planet to be healthy and vibrant for generations to come.

But there is so much more to be done. I often wonder if my small, everyday changes make a difference. I wonder if I shouldn’t be doing more. And the answer is yes. There is always room to be doing more to protect the planet. However, it’s also true that the little things do matter. They do add up. Small efforts made consistently and over time can amount to meaningful change.

Earth Day is April 22, 2021. Lions, no matter what your chosen cause, I hope you are able to pause this month and think of all the decisions you make every day. Ask yourself if there is room for a small effort toward a cleaner environment; a drop of water to join our ever-increasing tide of change.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jung-Yul Choi

International President, Lions Clubs International