It was 3:30 a.m. in the morning. I was laying in bed thinking about the number of things that had to be done, and the limited time frame that I had to do them. The more I thought about them, the more I became frustrated. I knew how futile it was to just think about them, and stop there. I thought maybe if I write a list of things that needed to be done I would accomplish more. It had worked for me in the past. I just got too busy more recently, so I neglected to make a list.

I decided enough is enough. I arose. I picked up my notebook. I started my list. Then while i was writing, I had the urge to start doing what needs to be done immediately. I even had the impulse to do some things that were not even listed. The adrenalin was flowing. I was really excited.

I started to organize the clutter that I had walked by every day. I had been looking at it for days, weeks, months and perhaps even years. I ran out of time, but the amazing thing is that in two hours I was able to accomplish more than I did in two months. It was then that the statement, procrastination is the thief of time, became even more real to me. I had to make up my mind that I will never put off for tomorrow anything that can be done today.

It is now 10.11 p.m.the next day. I am so excited! Almost everything I had on the list was completed and I have such a great sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. I decided to just do it. I refused to have any more excuses. I took the bull by its horn and I did it. I did so much in one day that I wondered where I found so much time to do those things. I have never had such a great sense of accomplishment for a while.

What about you? Have you had some things on your mind that you needed to do? Did you make that telephone call to your relative or friend? Did you even mention that you love him or her? Did you spend any time with your loved ones lately? Did you pay that bill that you have been neglecting to deal with? I do not know what has been on your mind. What I do know is that whatever is on your mind, just do it. No, I am not saying do anything that is immoral or selfish. It does not have to be some great deed. Do whatever is good, not just for you, but for someone else. I can guarantee that you will have one of the greatest feelings you can ever have.

I firmly believe that there are some things that you, and only you, are assigned to do. If you do not do them, they will never be done. A perfect example is the things Michael Jackson accomplished while he was alive. No other entertainer was like him, or ever will be. He was unique - one of a kind. Actually, that is the way all of us should be. There is no one else in the world like us. We are special. We cannot be duplicated, nor cloned, regardless of technological advancement. However, we are unique for a purpose, and that is to fulfill a special mission here on earth. If we do not fulfill that mission, our life on earth is practically in vain. What is your mission? Why are you here?

Last week I had a few depressing moments. Each time I sighed with a feeling of despondency, there was a little boy who would say to me I love you. The first time he did it I was so astonished, because he said it just before that negative feeling was about to overtake me. It occurred to me that he just did what he had a mind to do, without reservation. Little did he know that by just following his mind, he made my day. I was able to go through the week with the encouragement of those three words. I may never see that little boy ever again. He however fulfilled a very special role in my life. He taught me to remember that regardless of what I am going through there are always people who love me and appreciate me. I was taught to remember that I am there for people too. Problems will come and they will go as quickly as they came, but people are far more important than anything else.

I recall many years ago, I was traveling from Jamaica to Maryland. I missed my flight. I was so very disappointed. I had to spend the night at my parents' house, while I tried to get another flight for the next day. My father could not understand why I missed the flight, and I was visibly annoyed at his attitude. Months after the incident it was still on my mind. I kept having the urge to call him to apologize, but I would always think he had forgotten the incident anyway. Finally I called him. I told him how sorry I was, and we spoke for a while about other matters. I really did not know that was the last conversation I would have with him. The next time I saw him was at his funeral. I was so sorry that he died, but I was glad that I did what I had to do before it was too late. I just did it.

My mother was planning to visit me several years after. She stopped in Orlando, Florida to spend some time with my brother. She fell ill while she was there. My brother called to tell me he did not think she would make it. He encouraged me to come to see her instead. It was not the best time for me to leave. There were so many commitments that I had, and it was difficult to prepare for a trip so suddenly. However, I knew I had to go. I made arrangements quickly and within days I was there.We were so thrilled to see each other, and we had a great time together.

She asked me to peruse information she gave me concerning her, and to decide what I could glean for her eulogy. She had been preparing me for years for this day. After I returned home I called her often to talk with her. We had some great times. Eventually my brother called to tell me when she had passed. It was the most heartbreaking news I ever heard. If I did not take the time to go to see her, even though it was a difficult time to travel, I would not have spent that valuable time with her. I would not have received that valuable information from her. I would not be able to say my final farewell. It was important for me to just do it.

I am learning more each day to do the best I can while I am here. We have heard life is too short. If it is, we need to make the best of the days we have here. We need to do the things that we have a mind to do. We cannot do them when we are gone. The things that are always on our minds are there for a reason. They simply need to be done. We cannot afford to keep putting those things off. We may never get the opportunity to do them again.

There are so many thoughtful people in the world. They seem to bring joy and light wherever they go. It seems as if their motto is just do it. They do things that brighten the day for others. They give generously, even when they are not asked to do so, and they ask for nothing in return. I am reminded of the story of the good Samaritan who met an injured man on the road. The Samaritan took him to the hospital, and paid the fees required for his care. He went even further by promising to pay any extra that was needed. I believe that stranger might have died if the Samaritan did not offer to help. Prior to this, two other persons walked by, but they merely crossed the street. They did not offer to help. I am impressed with the good Samaritan, because he just did what his heart dictated for him to do. He just did it.

My challenge for everyone (including myself) is to do acts of kindness that will help other people. If you are able to give someone some money for a meal just do it. I remember one evening I was in a plaza with my daughter. A lady approached me, and she asked me for some money for herself and her daughter. I did not have any cash on me, so I told her I could not give her any cash, but I will purchase a meal for both of them. She was so very thankful. I felt so good that I was able to help two people who had a need. I made a decision at that time that I would give cash or provide a meal for anyone who was needy, if I was able to. It is indeed better to give than to receive. My advice is just do it.

I have been referring to just doing small tasks that will make a difference, but it all adds up. We need to sincerely do the little things that count - those things that are normally unnoticed. They do not make the headlines in the newspapers, in magazines or on television, but they are very important. Eventually they may be recognized locally, or even internationally. However, our motive should not be to elevate ourselves because of our deeds. If that is our motive, well forget it. Do not do anything for anyone. It is not worth it. It is better to do things from a sincere heart of love and concern, or to remain selfish. A heart that seeks nothing in return.

There are many people who started to do small things for people. They were not concerned with the media, but the media found them anyway. I could list many people who are like that, but I will only mention a few. Denzel Washington, one of the greatest movie stars ever, is a humanitarian, but not many people are aware of that. They see him as an outstanding director for movies and a star. He will never, ever tell people how great he is. He is too humble for that. The good he does in secret remains in secret, unless someone decides to tell others.

Tyler Perry, a writer, actor, director and so on has always had a heart of gold. Many people may not be aware of that. They see him only as Madea, the lawyer and all his other characers in his plays and movies. He is even seen as a comedian who really knows how to make people laugh. He however, is much more than that, he is a humanitarian par excellence.

Time will not allow me to list others. However, there are many others like Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King and Gandhi who were not concerned with world fame. They were too preoccupied with doing what they were supposed to do. While they did that, the world was impressed. The world decided to showcase them, and I am so glad. Now they can be an example to all of us. We can follow their footsteps. We can do what we should be doing. We can just do it.

I encourage everyone to do what you can to help anyone who is less fortunate than you. It may be a small task which may seemingly go unnoticed, but in the long run, somebody will be glad you did.  A cup of water can go a very long way for someone who is very thirsty.  The world will be a better place because of you. We can begin by looking at the man in the mirror, and make that change for the better. Just do it!