IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE THROUGH ROTARY

By Bill Pollard, past governor of District 7600 (Virginia, USA), and member of the Rotary Club of Churchland, Virginia

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is watching It’s a Wonderful Life. The movie shares with us two important messages: the importance of friends and the positive impact each of us makes on the lives of others. (click below to read more)

At the end of the movie George Bailey finds a copy of the book Tom Sawyer, a gift from his guardian angel Clarence who wrote in the book, “Remember,George: no man is a failure who has friends.” Our membership in Rotary provides us with the opportunity to make special and lasting friendships with Rotarians in our clubs, districts, and throughout the world. It is because of these friendships we are able to work together Doing Good in the World.

The movie also provides a powerful message that we all can make a difference in the lives of others. Even though George Bailey felt he was a failure and did not live the life he had dreamed of, he was provided the gift to see how his actions, no matter how simple or insignificant, made a difference in the lives of so many. Imagine if it had been Paul Harris standing on the bridge and his guardian angel showing him what the world would be like if he had never been born. Paul would have seen that polio would still be prevalent in the world and that there would be more hunger, poverty, and unhealthy living conditions.

We are blessed that Paul Harris gave us the gift of Rotary, resulting in a global family of friends who are changing lives by providing Service Above Self.