"Schindler’s List", a box office smash and winner of no less than 7 Academy Awards, is a true-to-life biographical American film dramatizing the events of a well-to-do citizen, who rescues Jews from Nazi concentration camps, by employing them in his munitions factories. At unspeakable personal risk, Oskar Schindler wiles Hitler in permitting him to continue the heavy manufacture of substantial artillery, not one of which was "fire-able". He spends millions of his own money, the full extent of his fortune, in bribes to SS officials, in order to save his "Schindler Jews".

After the war is over, the Israeli government tries to compensate him financially, however he politely refuses, preferring to live out the remainder of his days in abject poverty . He is now the only gentile to be buried in a most sacred Jewish cemetery in Jerusalem.

Here is a story that emerges from the chaos of madness, bribery and untold corruption. Oscar Schindler was the highest level of humanity. He walked among the bloodiest filth of the Holocaust without his soul being defiled, his compassion, his respect for human life, his integrity gave his Jews a second chance at life.

So, what about you?" So, what about now? How does this quote apply?

Just look at what’s happening in the world today. Dictators deposed, uprisings, floods, bushfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, nuclear meltdowns; I don’t have to tell you. Lives are being lost in the tens of thousands, in catastrophes of literally biblical proportions.

How relevant then is this headed quote! It makes me realize the importance of vigilantly improving and defending primeval values ??and moral principles almost laughed at today. I speak of equality, respect, solidarity, and brotherhood. Obviously and literally, the saving of one life in roughly 7 billion people will not change all things. And in and of itself it may not change all that much. But it is equally true that continuing to remain impassive in the face and helplessness of societies will not change anything.

Certainly, I'm thinking of the doctors who have responsibility for the lives of many people, but even those who, anonymously, extend a hand when needed, not only materially, but emotionally as well.

The life of one is a universe in itself. Behind each of us there are stories, feelings, experiences, emotions. A whole world, in fact. So my answer is yes, who saves but one life physically or emotionally, saves the entire world.

Gandhi, among the many thoughts he expressed, also said:

"Be the change you want to see in the world"

And then again;

"Only he who is foolish enough to believe that he can change the world, really changes it."

If we want to make this a better world, we cannot remain silent, we cannot continue to ignore it, we cannot turn the other cheek, when we see violence, injustice and inhumanity, of any description. If we want a better, brighter, more wholesome future for ourselves, and for our children, and for our children’s children, we must make it a rock-hard paradigm to consolidate our thinking towards aspiring goals. We must constantly transfix in our minds the utopian view of Charlie Chaplin’s and Louis Armstrong’s "What a beautiful world". We must never release hope for this world, and if we all choose to begin with even the smallest of gestures, even the smallest of acts, even the smallest of sacrifices, we begin to makeover the planet.

An ancient Chinese proverb states:

"The journey of one hundred miles begins with a single footstep."

Is there some thing, no matter how apparently small, that you can do in your own community to make a difference to other’s lives? Would this improve the well being of your fellow men? Could you perhaps muster popular support for this cause? Well then, why not take this vital single step, and begin your journey of 100 miles? Save a soul or two. And if you end up saving the world, come find me and shake my hand. And to think, it might have all started with a life quote, a quote about life!