There's an old story about a farmer who found an eagle's egg and not knowing what else to do, he put it in the nest of a backyard chicken.

The egg hatched and the eaglet grew up with the brood of chicks. It was only natural that the eagle should do what the backyard chickens did, as he just assumed he was a backyard chicken, too. He scratched the ground for worms and insects; clucked and cackled; and sometimes even would thrash his wings and fly a few feet in the air. Year after year, it was the same thing.

After years had passed, and he was old, he saw a magnificent bird soaring far above the farmyard. It seemed like it was enjoying gracefully gliding among the powerful wind currents, with very little movement of the wings.

The old eagle looked up and asked, "Who's that?" His neighbor said, "That's the eagle, the grandest of birds. He belongs to the sky, while we belong to the earth for we are chickens. So the eagle lived and died a chicken, for that's what he thought he was.

I often think of that story when I see, or read stories, of people who are simply satisfied to live life at the least common denominator. Life is so wonderful, and even more so, when we are able to share with others. So many activities go on, even in our small community, to which we could become involved: working with our children, with the military, mission trips, foster children, organizations devoted to helping abused children and adults, school groups, civic groups, churches, to name just a few.

Those who get the greatest rewards from life are those who are willing to make sacrifices of time, effort, energy, and resources. Often we are more than we think we are - and with effort, could help to make a tremendous difference in the life of another, which in turn, makes our life even richer.