Empowering Change: Making a Difference in Small Ways
As we come to the beginning of another year, and the flurries and hustle & bustle of the holidays are behind us, it's a great time to look ahead, with anticipation and excitement for what is possible. It's like when a writer sits down with a blank piece of paper or an artist sits in front of an empty canvas. What do I want want for this year that is in front of me? Not only for myself, but more importantly for my family, friends, people in the world who are hurting, and for our planet.
I sometimes feel overwhelmed in thinking of all of the ways that I would like to help out, knowing that I just can't fix everything that I would like to, if I could somehow wave a magic wand. I don't have the time or resources to fix all of the hurt, suffering and injustice I see both in my immediate life and in the greater world.
Possibilities and Intentions
In a quiet moment of reflection, the idea came to me that instead of feeling that I can't do anything, I can do something. Whatever it is that I am currently doing, in my immediate realm or in the bigger picture, I can always do a little bit more. It doesn't have to be much. It could be money, time, effort, awareness, and/or compassion,
Maybe I could put aside something that I would normally do for myself, whether that something is time, money or effort. and put it towards someone or something else.
When I am feeling inundated by the sheer vastness of all of the places where I might be able to help out, instead of being overwhelmed and presuming helplessness related to a situation, perhaps I could keep doing all of the things that I do now; whether financially supporting a person, group or cause, or it could even be something as simple as sharing information, and just do a little bit more.
Or it could be in the choices I make in my purchases, the way I speak to someone, whether family, friend or stranger, or in the correspondence I write; in the way I connect or don't connect with people. It could even be as simple and profound, at the same time, as putting out good vibes into the universe, in the way that makes sense for me and I believe in,
We all matter
Settling into this realization, I feel good. I feel calm, and more in control of what I see and hear. Not so overwhelmed that I have to accept everything in the world that I read about, hear about and see on a screen; either television or computer. I do matter and I am connected to every living person, creature and creation on this Earth.
All of us individually have the power to be a good person, to help others when and where we can, to make good choices and remember that we all play a part in our collective universe.
Wouldn't it be amazing if we all did just a little bit more?
Comments