In the wheelchair, he seemed like an ordinary man. The steel metal shined bright and the wheels were moving in a forward direction.
It was a 2008, my husband volunteered to take my father to the radiation oncologist for a check-up. As he walked the hallway with my father, an elderly man passed by. The radiation oncologist asked him, “Do you know who that is?” He only caught a glimpse, the bald head and white shirt his only clues as to who he may be.
My husband replied, “No, I have no idea who he is.” With an even tone, the oncologist said, ” That is Norman Borlaug. He is a Nobel Prize Winner.”
The conversation ended here, the purpose of this visit dedicated to my father. The shock of coming across a Nobel Peace Prize winner didn’t disappear for my husband. When he returned home and after he relayed the story over to me, we were both curious about Mr. Borlaug.
What we learned was that he was no ordinary man. He was dubbed the father of the Green Revolution and was credited for saving hundreds of millions of lives throughout the world. His pioneering work in developing high yield, disease resistant wheat field provided a way for third-world countries to much improved food production. Consequently, people were able to survive because of his advances in crop production. His Nobel Peace Prize was given to him because he promoted world peace by increasing the world’s food supply. People point to him as changing the world, although he spent much of his life deflecting praise.
Mr Borlaug died in 2009 at age 95. His name has come up in books and now I know who he was and what he did and how he changed life for millions of people. I think of what he did and how he has left the world in a better place. Through my research on Mr. Borlaug, I’ve learned he came from humble beginnings, he didn’t really seek success or fame, but he loved what he did. When he learned he won the Nobel Peace Prize, he thought it was a joke.
I think about Mr. Borlaug and how he has impacted the world. And how I didn’t know about him or his impact, until my husband crossed paths with him. He made a global difference and it bothered me that I didn’t hear about this man until a few years ago. How his life story relates to me personally – it doesn’t. It’s that we often talk about leaving the world a better place and I am not certain how many people actually do that. I hope to leave the world better than I entered it, but don’t know if I will accomplish that goal.
At least I can say I am two degrees away from someone who did.
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What is your definition of “changing the world?” Have you come across anyone who has changed the world? Is it an achievable goal ? Why or why not?
Image: Filomena Scalise / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
I think most of us have the capacity to change the world around us, for those close to us. The bigger picture, though, that takes a special person to accomplish.
It’s become a bit trite and overused in recent years, but I immediately thought of this quotation (one of my favorites) when reading your post. I had this framed from a card my grandmother gave me when I was in middle school, and it now hangs on my daughter’s wall. It gets me every time.
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Stacia, I’ve seen the quote ages ago but only now do I truly appreciate and understand it. I was going to say something like that to Rudri except Emerson said it better. Of course.
So, here’s my comment, Rudri = Yeah, what she said he said.
Because I am a fervent believer of his sentiment.
I love this quote Stacia and have it hanging on a wall in my office. It is often quoted, but the words always resonate with me.
I learned today who Norman Borlaug, won the Noble Peace Prize and was the father of the green revolution. Who knew. You carried Mr Borlaug legacy one step further.
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Dr. Seuss quote. Emerson is a head act to follow @Stacia…I just did the best I could!
I think you will make a difference. Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed!”
Thanks Katybeth for stopping by. I am glad you learned a little something about Mr. Borlaug.
And that Dr. Seuss, he knew exactly what he was talking about (I love the book “Oh The Places We Will Go”)
That had to be a very cool experience to just be in the same room as a nobel prize winner. I think if we are kind and love a whole bunch, we leave the world a better place!!
I love chance meetings like this and what they can lead to. And ditto what Katybeth said about you taking that chance meeting ever further – by introducing him to us. A wonderful footprint he has left!
Thanks for sharing this story. I love to hear of people’s passions and how they change the world for better, and they do because they have a deep need to do so, not for fame or fortune.He sounds like he was a wonderful man.
What a cool post, Rudri.
I’m not sure about setting out to change the world. But I think if we try to be encouraging of those around us, we are more likely to assist in ways that are subtle, but perhaps important.
When you think of the thousands (tens of thousands?) of people you meet in a lifetime, who knows how you may have touched a life that then goes on to touch others in positive ways? Perhaps it’s the Butterfly Effect at work, seen through a particular lens.
I know there were things I wanted to do, long long ago, as a writer. I don’t think I ever did them. Will I? Well, there was a greater chance (statistically) 20 years ago than now. But perhaps my sons will change lives – even one life – for the better. Perhaps my being a good friend to someone in my lifetime made a difference I’ll never know about.
Not that I don’t still want to influence in positive ways, but I think I’m “good” with the concept of helping rather than hurting, encouraging rather than demotivating, and even facilitating if and when I can. You never know what good may come of it.
Lovely post.
You are right BLW. We do run across thousands of people and perhaps don’t know how we influence them or how we have made their day. Helping rather than hurting … it is a good way to look at things.
Ralph Waldo Emerson has many quotes that really resonate and that I think are appropriate here. But for now I’ll shift gears and say “Act locally, think globally.”
Every little thing you do changes the world, in subtle ways. But think of how all the subtle ways add up. The little kindesses, the wisdom you share here and with your daughter, and any other number of things. I don’t believe making a big difference is the only difference that can be made, I believe change comes from those of us who choose to live caring, honest lives. We are changing the world through our children and our dedication to who they will become.
Your last paragraph resonates with me, Rudri. I think if we operate with the intent of leaving the world a better place than we found it, we have a bette chance of doing so.
There’s that famous quote by Marianne Williamson about how our deepest fear is not that we’re inadequate; it’s that that we are powerful beyond measure — I’m sort of in the camp that believes this is true. We can each do so much good, affect significant change, the question is do we dare?
We are all meant to shine. It’s an intimidating thought.
I would probably pass out if I met a Nobel prize winner. As for my personal life, the people who’ve changed the world around me are usually the quiet, confident people who just live their lives however makes them happy. My mentors are all women who’ve carved their own path and blazed a trail for others.
I think about that too, and often feel a nagging sense of discomfort that I am not doing “more.” I work in education preparing mainly wealthy clients to go onto graduate school, and so in my mind I am not really affecting change because I am not working with those in real need. However, I have to remind myself that by helping my clients I am helping them to one day change the world as they go on to pursue their goals. Ultimately, I think that we can bring change in many small or big ways: as parents, as volunteers, etc. It is a privileged few who can bring on change on a global scale.