12-31-2002

Guestvision By: Damon Sugameli

 

THE MESSAGE OF QUANTUM LEAP

Greetings and Salutations Everyone!

The end of another year is fast approaching, and like many other people at this time of the year, I often reflect on the decisions I've made in my life and ponder how they've shaped me into the kind of person I've become. But even more importantly, I look at the things I haven't done. The "nice" things that most people take for granted. Like helping an older or disabled person cross the street or climbing up a set of stairs; taking the change out of my pockets and giving it to a homeless person because they're hungry; or even spending more time with loved ones who care for me. Of course, I'm not the only one. Sure, we may do good deeds every so often (some of us more than others), but is it enough? How often do we, as a society, take the time to do the "little" things in life? Trivial things that may seem insignificant to us, but may be a great deal more to the ones who aren't as lucky? We all say the same things: "But it's not my problem, it's the fault of society," or "I'm just one person out of a billion; I can't make a difference!" Well, it occurs to me that if every person in the world who says or thinks those things decided to do something about it, the world would definitely become a very different place, in my opinion. A truly better place, indeed.

I think this is ultimately the true message of Quantum Leap. Sam did these "little" things on a regular basis. Sure, his intentions may have been purely in the interest of science when he first stepped into the Accellerator, but his heart was always in the right place. A computer may have given him a probable course of action to take in his missions, but it was always the good Dr. Beckett who went with his gut and ignored the rules when he needed to. He often did what no one else in his position could have done, because deep down inside, Sam could never truly "hate" anyone. As Al the Bartender told him, "The lives you've touched, touched others! And those lives, OTHERS!! You've done a lot of good, Sam Beckett!" How often can we say that about ourselves? I'll use a real-life example. Look at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He stepped forward and challenged the status quo by embracing love for people of all colors and races. He was an inspiration to so many that society was literally turned on its back.

The point I'm trying to make is that people like Sam Beckett and MLK, Jr. weren't afraid to question or challenge the norm. They did what they felt was right regardless of the consequences or their own fates. They set an example for the rest of us to try to live our lives by, and I think it's a darn good one. "Evil prevails in this world only if good people do nothing." I've heard a phrase like this used several times, but I really think it applies here. Perhaps the next time we walk down the street and see a beggar asking for change, or someone having trouble crossing the street, we should take a minute out of our busy lives to stop and think, "What would Sam do?" Where would the world be now if MLK, Jr. had decided that he wasn't the right person to speak out for equality? Just something to think about when we make those annual New Year's Resolutions. (that we hardly ever keep!) :) If we all try to do at least one "good deed" every day, they might add up to something bigger than we ever could have dreamed. Perhaps the one "little" thing we do today could change someone's life for the better. The lives we could touch with our "good deeds" could touch others. And those lives, OTHERS!! Imagine the possibilities!

On one final note, I'd like to personally wish you and your families a wonderful and happy holiday season. I am honored to be a part of this wonderful and colorful group of people, and I hope to continue corresponding with all of you for a long time to come. If you wish to e-mail me about Quantum Leap, this article, or anything that tickles your fancy, I can be contacted here or at suggie176@hotmail.com. Have a Happy Holiday and God Bless!

Damon Sugameli AKA Dman176