Never in the history of Roman philosophy did Cicero think he could impact so many people with his wise words. He might have applied it to athletics, to war, or to the consolidation of an empire that was larger than most of the known European world. He might have thought it was a good point to instill in the mind of the young Roman men, who would soon become the governors and rulers of the empire.
Although his words have more interpretations than there are situations to apply them to, I couldn't help but stop for a second and stare at the italics on my daily planner. The greater the difficulty, the greater the glory, said this Roman. I couldn't help but stare at the words and repeat them silently in my soul.
I've always liked community service. I've always jumped up at the mentioning of volunteerism. Service Learning is more or less the same thing (in my opinion).
When I heard we had to do required hours, I smiled to myself and planned it all out. I'd do at least 15 hours in the Humane Society, and I'd volunteer at the Florida Breast Health Initiative at least once, just for fun. I thought it would be a great way to spend the morning of a Saturday in which I didn't really have anything important to do. Boy, do things change in the course of the thought process to the realization of events. In my mind, I'd just be knocking on doors and smiling politely at people looking at me as if I was speaking a foreign language of Don't Wake Me Up To Sell Me Something Lady.
I didn't expect to sign up for the Super Heroes Knock-A-Thon fundraiser at the end of October at the end of the day. Sitting down in the air conditioned room, sweaty and beat down from walking four blocks in the midday sun up and down stairs and porches and around mailboxes and garages, I reflected on the events of the day and how I ended up where I did.
I was motivated to do more. I wanted to help these women out. I wanted to help those that might be diagnosed with breast cancer and saved through early detection. I donated 13 inches of hair to Locks of Love; who's to tell me I can't fund raise $150 for the furthering of the organization?
My maternal great grandmother died of pancreatic cancer.
My maternal grandfather died of lung and throat cancer.
My maternal great grandfather died of liver cancer.
My maternal grandfather's father died of skin cancer.
My maternal grandfather's mother died of ovarian cancer.
My maternal grandfather's sister died of stomach cancer.
My paternal grandfather died of cancer in the brain.
I think I have enough reason to support the cause.
Cicero, you don't understand the impact of your words. Laying in your grave a-rest, a-sleep, you might not even care. But I do care, because I know that the survival is only a minute portion of the victory; the battle's the great majority of it.
Now, I can't fight the battle for those that have perished, but I can certainly do all I can to prevent those that are struggling from having a tomb stone next to them.
