Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.
~from The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss
Amazing words of wisdom- from a children's book classified as Science and Nature (LOVE THAT!!!) and published in 1971. So simple... and so profound.
Actually quite spiritual, if you think that way... and I do.
Welcome to Brothers and Sisters, the weekly meetup for prayer* and community at Daily Kos. We put an asterisk on pray* to acknowledge that not everyone uses conventional religious language, but may want to share joys and concerns, or simply take solace in a meditative atmosphere. Anyone who comes in the spirit of mutual respect, warmth and healing is welcome.
I feel very strongly about social justice--that we are meant to help make the best of this word we all live in. That we are supposed to help make it a better place for everyone. For me, it makes sense that my faith gets lived out in my actions. What I do matters--it tells the story of who I am (all the bad and the good) and what I believe.
And so it is with all of us...
UNLESS...
Of course everyone doesn't think this way-- there are people who find it difficult to be tenderly concerned and helpful (a good working definition of caring). People who focus solely on "what's in it for me?" or "I've got mine, and that's what matters." People who honestly cannot see the bigger picture-- who fail to realize how interconnected we all are.
I am sad for these people... and angered by the evil they do.
And so I try to channel my anger-- to DO something... (some days are better than others--some days I just scream at the TV or vent to my poor husband)-- I want to clean up the mess we've made of things. I want to set us on the way to really fixing things, as Franklin D. Roosevelt said, on "the path of faith, the path of hope, and the path of love toward our fellow man." It's up to us to make things better--to right all the injustices we find.
I leave you with quotes from two very different people-- saying a very similar thing:
The place to improve the world is first in one's own heart and head and hands.
~Robert M. Pirsig, Author of Zen and the Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance
At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done.
We will be judged by 'I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.'
Hungry not only for bread -- but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing -- but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks -- but homeless because of rejection.
~Mother Teresa
What we DO makes a difference.
UNLESS...