Turn Around

I’ve been reading again!
A quote from the book caught my eye and made me think…

Turning the story around –
“Government/corporations/the wealthy/the political parties are too ~~strong~~ weak. There is nothing ~~anyone~~ they can do to change ~~them~~ themselves, and if there is going to be change, ~~they have to initiate it~~ we have to help them, so all of our individual efforts are ~~irrelevant~~ crucial.”

What do I think about this?
In a week that has brought about injustices and tragedies, seen and unseen, it’s easy to feel like giving up on everything as hopeless and unchangeable, and seeing ourselves as powerless. And, truly, sometimes we are in situations where the outcome bulldozes us down… a failure of society to engage and protect the individual? A long timeline of little adjustments and concessions leading to a tunnel we didn’t know we were heading for? A bit of both? I don’t know.

Governments and the societies that elect them need to change in a lot of ways, but that starts with an individual. It starts with each of us.
I’m feeling like I’m getting preachy – I don’t want that 🙂
Getting back to the quote!
How do I change myself, and influence the world around me? I haven’t finished the book yet, so not sure what that answer will be! One obvious thing is to look squarely at who I am…
What do I believe? Why? Am I willing to question things, in order to more clearly understand?
I come from a Christian understanding of the world. In a lot of ways (globally) that can be seen to be unyielding, rigid, unwilling to look at other points of view… I don’t agree that that’s the way to see things. An unchallenged faith is a weak faith – if God is real (as I believe He is) then He is big enough and strong enough to walk with us through the questions and disappointments. Also, deep enough to encompass differences of opinion!

So – am I willing to confront myself when I am triggered or made uncomfortable by events/circumstances/points of view? Am I willing to Change My Mind?! On that note, I find it interesting to read books by people who have completely different understandings of the world to me. It can be amazing to see where we agree!

I have not a lot to offer, in the big scheme of things. I have some influence in some spheres… but nothing major. I am quiet, not very energetic, often not well. I often feel useless. But I am still not lacking in responsibility to know who I should be and my place in this community…

One thing I can do?
I can welcome whoever needs or wants friendship. I can hold out hope where it’s needed – there are endless cups of tea here, and spare beds/sofas are available! I can brighten someone’s day, even if it’s only in a small way.

And I can guarantee that, whoever you are reading this, YOU are important. You are significant. You are meant to be here, and you have a part to play in this world. Even if it doesn’t feel like it right this second.
❤