It happened on a stadium. A crowd had gathered to watch a hard-fought match. No less than twenty thousand people were waiting.

A girl, only 13, as a prize, had been awarded the honor of singing the American National Anthem at the opening of the great event.

Wearing a long dress, with a stylish hairdo and a beautiful smile, she reaches for the microphone and begins the performance.

Right in tune, her emotional voice is carried throughout the enormous arena.

And suddenly, her arm shivers, she gasps, the lyrics are forgotten.

The television camera displays a close up, her eyes brimming with tears, she anxiously waits help from someone nearby.

She pictures herself all alone. She's thirteen, just a little girl, standing there all alone.

An audience's boo is impending. Nobody reaches out to help. Everyone is just watching, standing still.

All of a sudden, a man comes out and walks towards her. It's Mo Cheeks, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Standing next to Natalie Gilbert, the frightened young girl, he holds her close.

She tries to bury her face in his chest. But the tall, bulky man begins singing, encouraging her to do the same.

She is hesitant at first, but he goes on, cheering her on. And later on, with gestures, urges the audience to sing along.

And the attentive public, realizing the coach's lesson in solidarity, sings.

In a few moments, the whole stadium becomes a single, moving, vibrating choir.

So Natalie Gilbert winds up the Anthem. She looks up to her savior and says: Thank you very much.

*   *   *

One man, one gesture made a big difference. That little girl could have left the place traumatized, believing herself to be the least of human beings, for failing at such a crucial moment.

But the sympathetic soul of Mo Cheeks not only helped her, but also taught a lesson to more than twenty thousand viewers.

It was a lesson in solidarity, a lesson about the attitude of a real leader, of someone who cares for another.

He showed that, when someone is in trouble, whoever is nearest must help.

He taught the use of empathy.

Did none of the people gathered there think, even for a moment, that it could have happened to them if they were in her place?

Did none of the fathers and mothers attending think that could happen to one of their children?

That day, Natalie Gilbert accomplished her duty.

And Mo Cheeks showed what a difference a human being can make in the World.

*   *   *

Each one of us, wherever we are, can and must make a difference.

When everybody just stands watching someone losing his equilibrium, or tripping and falling, we can be the one reaching out to support.

When someone drops his/her packages in the middle of the street, we can be the helping hand.

We can volunteer for changing a tire, doing some shopping, babysitting for a while.

Which one of us, wherever we are, cannot do some simple, yet very special thing?

Something to show that human beings are endowed with an enormous love potential to be used at the slightest sign of need from another.

Think about it, and wherever you are, be the special creature that makes a difference in the World.

Be an example to be repeated. Be a leader to be followed.

Spiritist Moment Team, based on a true story.
January 04.2010.