be the change you want
to see in the world.
-mahatma ghandi
where to even begin... i know i had said that i was going to post about my little ganesh ritual, for when i am stuck and need clarity, but there has been a change of plans...
it's so very ironic that right after i posted about having a gratitude practice (see previous post), the mister told me a bit of news he had read the other day that totally brought down my well build emotional walls. you know the ones... the walls that keep us from being totally overwhelmed by the state of the world and the inequalities that exist right in front of our noses. collapsed. it really didn't help that we were watching a tv show that dealt with child abuse. fiction or not, that subject really breaks my heart. i totally felt overcome with emotions and cried... alot. like i was unleashing all the build up helplessness that i have been harboring for some time now.
with the help of the internet we can now really be informed of all the sh*t that goes on in the world. the living conditions and inequalities that exist. i've been following jen lemen's efforts in rwanda and soule mama's project for infants in haiti... but it's not only in other countries. there is so much that is unfair (to me) on our own side of the planet. check out stacy anne's contribution to inequality in california. these women are doing awesome things, and i truly deeply believe that all actions, big or small, can make a difference and help.
i ask myself how can i help... i can donate if i have the cash, or i can help out in others ways... but like patti digh says in her book (chapter on inclusion: being generous) "there is too much need in the world. i can't hope to keep up with it." and sometimes that's how i feel. i'm just being honest here. i get so overwhelmed with all the causes and charities... i would love to help every single one of them. but what about the abused child? the genocide victim? not all suffering has a charity attached to it. this is where i lose it and the tears start to flow. my heart aches and i feel like i am bearing the weight of all the injustices of the world on my shoulders.
but friday evening, when i was feeling really (really) low, i read in patti's book something that completely changed my outlook. she was talking about how we can recognize something and own how our presence can change a situation and also change others... she says "i can't help but wonder what the world would be like if we all gave unconditionally and held presence for others, even strangers... the world needs more kindness." this totally warmed my heart. it encouraged me and reaffirmed my belief that all actions can help change the world... even just a little tiny bit.
then i got thinking... how helping others is completely related to being grateful. kindness towards others emerges from being thankful of what we have in our own lives. once we recognize our blessings, we can give more freely to others since we are full ourselves. wow, i'm blowing my own mind here. this reaffirms my enthusiasm to inspire myself as well as others in cultivating a daily gratitude practice. i've added in my left side bar a resource links list for gratitude practice information. whenever i come across something that inspires me and my own gratitude practice, i'll be adding it there.
an individual has not started living until he can
rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic
concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
-martin luther king jr.
this was by far the most personal post to write... i was debating whether to write it at all. but i think it's important and i simply want to express myself genuinely.
so thank you
for listening
(well reading)
peace and love
jennlui
