can a phone call really change your life?

Until Monday night, I didn't think it was possible for a phone call to actually change anyone's life. I mean, unless it's Ed McMahon calling to tell you that you won a million dollars there aren't many phone calls that would completely turn your life upside down. I suppose there are some that are somewhat life altering - a call to tell you you have a terminal illness, a call about a new job - maybe changing your financial status, happy calls - births, engagements, etc., but not really any life changing.

Outside of my career job, I'm involved with a hefty volunteer position part of which includes overseeing a collegiate group on a local college campus. Most of the work I do with them is purely advisory helping them think about ways to raise funds, signing off on paperwork, etc. Occassionally, I deal with moderating some type of dispute - you know how people can be. They're passionate about their organization and everyone has the organization's best interests in mind, so when they disagree on the best direction it can cause complete chaos. This week they took things to a new level and a few of the members got so hung up on the situation that they made a phone call that could have potentially ruined another member's life. Just like that, one phone call and the girl's future would've been in jeopardy. I spent most of Monday night and part of Tuesday working through the situation and preparing for the possible ramifications. Luckily someone had their head on straight and the problem was finally reconciled before it became a totally life changing event. I have no doubt that it has altered the member's life in someway forever, but not in the noticeable and ultimately detrimental capacity that it had the potential to do.

The morale of this story (because there's always got to be a morale) is that you never know when your life can change or how quickly it can change for that matter. I know we talk about living each day to it's fullest, but honestly that's not easy to do especially when you're working to pay the bills. My recommendation instead? Do the best you can, think about others before you act and remember we were all young once.

(btw - apologies for the vagueness of the content, but someone's got to protect the innocent)