|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I hate saying that. It feels so very wrong. It's not that I wouldn't like to help them. It's not that I am not appalled at what is happening over there. I have been wrestling with my guilty feelings lately. What have I done to make the world a better place? I started by taking inventory of the areas that I'd love to 'fix'. My to-do list looks like this:
Free Tibet
Heal the hole in the ozone layer
Cure Cancer
Save the endangered species
Overhaul the public school system
Raise my own kids
Defend the gays and lesbians
Teach people how to be happy
Solve world hunger
Find loving homes for the orphans
Save the rainforest
Rid the planet of pollution
Implement a clean economical fuel system
Design a quality inexpensive health care system
End divorces and broken homes
Clean out the political system
Create world peace
Find Atlantis and solve the mystery of the pyramids
Scientifically prove somebody's religion is true
Psychologically heal the inmates who want it
End all superficial fakeness
Save the children
Stop racism
Bring an end to lethargy
Stop terrorism
Save the coral reefs
Change America's focus from being 'politically correct' to becoming 'spiritually correct' and I'm not talking about religion
It all gets a bit overwhelming. How can I ever accomplish all of these things in my lifetime? Even if I delegate certain areas to my kids, and make them take a blood oath that they will force my grandkids to carry on with the work on this list until it is finished, I cannot possible hope to solve all of the world's problems. Then I got to thinking about getting up on my soapbox and preaching to everyone that they need to come help me. There is just so much that needs done and you and I both know that my list is not even complete. I would be lucky if I can do one of those things really well during my lifetime.
I had to sit and really think about my own resources, the natural gifts I was born with, and what amount of time I want to commit to doing good deeds. I had to analyze the list and what it would really take to accomplish each of those things. What I came to realize is that there are some that I am called to do, some that I just want to do, and still others that I secretly wish someone else would do. That's not a bad thing, it is what it is. I may really want to cure cancer and other diseases, but I know that deep down I don't have any resources, skills, training, or education to apply to the problem. It's really not my job. All I can do is to support those who are meant to do that work. If I had the money, I'd dump a fortune into their pockets to make sure they had all of the tools they needed. But I don't have it to give, not yet anyway.
What if I do a little bit for each and every one? They say, "Every little bit counts!" You know if all I was giving was my money, then I'd say yes. Donate money to all of those causes. But, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about actually rolling up my sleeves and getting to work helping make the world a better place. I personally cannot fly all over the planet adding just a touch of my energy here and there. To truly create the huge changes needed to fix those problems, I would have to really give my undivided attention and focus. One hundred people giving a moment of their time is not as effective and powerful as just two or three people giving it all of their time and focus. If I am going to make a difference, then I will have to narrow the list down.
One by one, I had to scratch off the list those things that I personally could not do. That's not to say that I won't someday be able to help finance them. For now, I have to look at what I can actually roll my sleeves up and do with my own two hands. What are my talents best used for? What is my job? I picked from the list those things that were truly deeply mine. They are all areas that I also happen to feel a personal calling to be involved in. Everything else, I have to let go and trust that someone else will recognize that they have the talents and resources to become part of the solutions. I have to trust that whoever is meant to take on those jobs will feel a calling deep in their soul and that they'll heed that calling.
Another hard part for me is not knowing the divine plan. When bad things happen, we can sort of take comfort in knowing that there must be some divine reason. Somehow the challenges and dramas of life always lead to enlightenment, joy, new self esteem, or some other cosmic gift. Some things are meant to be. Some things are not meant to be. So, when I take that deep breath and trust that someone else is going to pick up that particular problem and give their life to solving it, I have to also make peace with the idea that it may not happen the way I would like to see it happen, or along the timeline that I'd like to see it happen. Who will free Tibet while I'm busy working on fixing these other things? Will they be saved in a timely manner? Will our government dive in to save them the way that they felt called to save other people? I can only pray that someone else picks up the baton because I cannot. Is it your job? Will you free Tibet?
Copyright 2004, Skye Thomas, Tomorrow's Edge
About The Author
Skye Thomas began writing books and articles with an everyday practical approach to life in 1999 after twenty years of studying spirituality, metaphysics, astrology, personal growth, motivation, and parenting. After years of high heels and business clothes, she is currently enjoying working from home in her pajamas. Go to www.TomorrowsEdge.net to read more of her articles and to get a free preview of one of her books.
Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 17,... Read More
Your Spirit is continuously beaming communications to you. As long... Read More
The root of discord and violence between people and nations... Read More
Mature selfishness is the cornerstone of effectively living with passion... Read More
Discernment is an inner guide or compass. It is loving... Read More
Self esteem.Now there's a well used and little understood term.... Read More
We all know the truism that "charity begins at home."... Read More
INSPIRATION can be a powerful thing. It can keep... Read More
The outer conditions of a person's life will always be... Read More
As small children, we were all wild. Not unlike the... Read More
Silence means no voice input of any sort. What happens... Read More
1. Constant affirmation without accountability is a sure-fire way to... Read More
What is the most essential part of your business? You... Read More
If there is one thing that I believe with all... Read More
Unfortunately, most people fail to plan until it is too... Read More
I just got back from Colorado where I spent a... Read More
Wisdom and knowledge come from the same family but are... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 29,... Read More
Abundance is a life style, a way of living your... Read More
Over the years I've learned to challenge my audiences to... Read More
To [many] work is not a gratifying opportunity to do... Read More
The problem with waiting until tomorrow is that when it... Read More
"All that you desire or require is already on your... Read More
When people talk about enrichment, they are usually thinking of... Read More
Passion can guide you, not just to live, but to... Read More
Only twenty years ago, people would casually stroll the neibourhood,... Read More
Self esteem.Now there's a well used and little understood term.... Read More
For those people who lost friends and loved ones... Read More
Just the other day, I escaped the business of my... Read More
In brief, my book A REASON FOR LIVING is the... Read More
"If you are pained by external things, it is not... Read More
In the streets of Bogot?, a child - named Simon*... Read More
Wreaths are like rings. They represent the Universal Circle ("Let... Read More
A near middle-aged man in one of my last workshops... Read More
The ongoing teachings are exemplified in an understanding and execution... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 11,... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of March 24,... Read More
Here I am gazing on the Web for extraordinary witnesses... Read More
I write and talk a lot about dreams. Primarily because... Read More
It was one of those once-in-a-life-time moments. The entire World... Read More
There is one sure fire medicine that cures all difficulty... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 29,... Read More
Are you left with inspiration but no action after hearing,... Read More
When life has you feeling less than happy, and you... Read More
How strong are you? I'm not asking if you... Read More
The root of discord and violence between people and nations... Read More
Here's a simple parable with an important moral.Each mirror, you... Read More
EXTREME is not a term usually connected to self-care. Self-care... Read More
The lines below come from this weeks mind treatment, written... Read More
"How are you doing?" you ask. There's a pause before... Read More
Inspirational Inspirational |