Too often, we make the mistake of looking back on history and seeing things as better. Seeing the world as a more moral place. Who hasn't been told or thought that this is the most dire time in history? And is it? Who can say? All I know is, to think that is to not realize that everyone that's ever lived has looked at all that's wrong around them and thought that they were in the worst period of the world and that it couldn't possibly get any worse.
The world has never been perfect. There have always been problems. What's changed is that, as the years roll on and the distance from one person to another is shortened by advancing technology, we are actually more aware of all the problems. And are there more problems and more complex problems than before? Perhaps.
It's easy to think that this is the world's most dire moment. But, the world probably thought that during both World Wars. It's easy to think this is America's most dire moment. But, ask a Native American about our great western expansion. Ask an African American to reflect only a few generations back when technological and economic advances were moving at an extraordinary pace, but they were still being lynched. Catastrophic events have happened and have been caused by humans before.
And, yet, older generations still reflect and remember those times and say that they were better than now. Part of this comes from the fact that those moments are soaking in that hazy sepia-tinted past. But, maybe an even larger part comes from the fact that some problems were solved. We look back on the past with a luxury only the future can provide. Knowing that the fights were worth it. That there was a change.
It's important to remember that when we're caught up in the daily hum-drum of nine to fives and issues at home. When we're struggling to get by. When the world seems to be foaming over in violence, catastrophe, and incoherence. When world leaders seem to be acting like over-grown kindergartners fighting over the biggest truck. When people are starving. When people are being treated unfairly for any reason. When we huddle in a corner of the room in the fetal position and mumble "what can I do, what can I do?
What makes our situation dire is if, with all the tools of communication at our hands, we keep it to ourselves. If we whisper behind closed doors (or in our corner of the room) with no desire to make a move. If we let it all happen without taking a stand. Can we resolve all the issues at hand? Who's to say?
But, I do know this: We can look at our situations and see it as impossibly dire and that we are merely helpless victims or we can stand together and make some miracles happen.
Ruth once shared this saying with me: "Do not complain about what you will not fix."
It's time to stop whispering. It's time to start shouting. It's time to start singing. It's time to be the change- to make the world better right now.
Originally Posted On Facebook.
The world has never been perfect. There have always been problems. What's changed is that, as the years roll on and the distance from one person to another is shortened by advancing technology, we are actually more aware of all the problems. And are there more problems and more complex problems than before? Perhaps.
It's easy to think that this is the world's most dire moment. But, the world probably thought that during both World Wars. It's easy to think this is America's most dire moment. But, ask a Native American about our great western expansion. Ask an African American to reflect only a few generations back when technological and economic advances were moving at an extraordinary pace, but they were still being lynched. Catastrophic events have happened and have been caused by humans before.
And, yet, older generations still reflect and remember those times and say that they were better than now. Part of this comes from the fact that those moments are soaking in that hazy sepia-tinted past. But, maybe an even larger part comes from the fact that some problems were solved. We look back on the past with a luxury only the future can provide. Knowing that the fights were worth it. That there was a change.
It's important to remember that when we're caught up in the daily hum-drum of nine to fives and issues at home. When we're struggling to get by. When the world seems to be foaming over in violence, catastrophe, and incoherence. When world leaders seem to be acting like over-grown kindergartners fighting over the biggest truck. When people are starving. When people are being treated unfairly for any reason. When we huddle in a corner of the room in the fetal position and mumble "what can I do, what can I do?
What makes our situation dire is if, with all the tools of communication at our hands, we keep it to ourselves. If we whisper behind closed doors (or in our corner of the room) with no desire to make a move. If we let it all happen without taking a stand. Can we resolve all the issues at hand? Who's to say?
But, I do know this: We can look at our situations and see it as impossibly dire and that we are merely helpless victims or we can stand together and make some miracles happen.
Ruth once shared this saying with me: "Do not complain about what you will not fix."
It's time to stop whispering. It's time to start shouting. It's time to start singing. It's time to be the change- to make the world better right now.
Originally Posted On Facebook.
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