As I write this, I lie on the sea shore, resting and reminiscing about the days gone by when I used to wonder what my purpose in life was.

I was a miniscule part of the great Sahara desert till I latched onto the shoes of a tourist and traveled across continents and countries. I always used to wonder if this was the life I was supposed to live. Be a worthless grain of sand with no purpose and no identity. Then one day, the tourist decided to get rid of his shoes and I became one with the dust and mud in a garbage dump. I made many friends and we shared stories about our mutual worthlessness and inability to do more in life. We soon got a chance. They cleared the garbage dump and made it a playground for children. We lay down together and watched the children run around, stamp us and play. We were all different colors, grain size, nationalities but we all came together for a purpose, to give joy to little children. I realized I was a small part of the bigger picture. On my own I might just be a worthless grain of sand, but together with my brothers I was worthless no more. I had the power to give joy.

It lasted until the land sharks took over the park and constructed a monstrosity by cutting off all the trees. Mother Nature couldn’t bear the destruction and we all rose as one huge storm in revolt and I realized the power within me to destroy, revolt and be evil. We not only destroyed our beloved park, but also the homes of the children who played there. I got blown away by the wind and landed by the beachside where I lie today awaiting to meet my maker, fully aware that he did not create me to be wasted but to be molded and used according to his will. I had the power to give joy or destroy and I had a choice whether to be alone or to act with my brothers. So I say to you, sometimes it is better to have the courage to stand alone and at times it is wise to be one with the crowd. Do good or evil, stand alone or be united, the power to choose is yours and choose you must my dear friend, that too wisely.