At least I’m doing my part…

In December 2018, I stayed a few days at La Banda Rooftop Hostel in Seville. After checking in I went straight to the rooftop to relax during the day’s siesta hours. There was already someone laid out in deep slumber across from me.

After an hour Matthieu, a Frenchman recovering from a hangover, awakens and we begin trading pleasantries. He shares his plan to pursue sustainable farming with his Colombian girlfriend in the French countryside. Then we pepper in anecdotes of the ills of our worlds back home. At this time there were petrol protests going down in Paris.

It turned out it was also Matthieu’s time to check out of the hostel and after taking a deep existential breath he begins to segue into one of my favorite mic drop moments:

“In my country we are a little obsessed with the colibrí, or how you say in English: the hummingbird. It is sort of a national symbol. There is a story we are taught as children called La Légende du Colibrí.”

*Below is how I choose to remember this story.*

One day there was a huge forest fire. All the animals are running away to escape. In the distance you can see a little hummingbird flying to and from a lake carrying a few drops of water in its beak to throw on the fire.
An armadillo is watching this tireless effort and says, “Hummingbird! You wont be able put out the fire by yourself!”
To which the hummingbird replies, “I know, but at least I’m doing my part.”

*mic drop!*

Matthieu says goodbye, promptly leaves, and he quickly cemented himself as a profound memory from that trip (there were many incredible things that occurred on that trip. Maybe I finally start sharing them).

I love how short the story is and how quickly it can change someone’s perspective of individual effort. At times we might feel our contributions to something noble are not making any impact, but you can at least find solace after doing your part.

I catch myself often repeating in my head, “at least I’m doing my part,” sort of like a pat on the back or as a measure of self validation even when reduced to activities such as returning a shopping cart to the corral, or expertly separating my recyclables.

I hope this story resonates with you as it does with me. Please share it!