Be the Change You Seek

I’m fatigued. I’m tired of the societal junk I’m witnessing. Back-biting, in-fighting, political maneuvering, argument for the sake of argument. Seriously, I’m done. Not today, Satan.

(Side note: I introduced this phrase to a friend who struggles with self-criticism, and told her she should use it as a mantra. She though I was telling her ‘not to date Satan.’ I mean, you know, both. Don’t allow Satan to trick you AND don’t date him or anyone resembling him.)

Okay, back to it…Not today, Satan! I am actively working to reject the bad and embrace the good. And not in a head-in-the-sand Pollyannaish sort of way. I work to be educated and informed and actively choose good words and deeds.

This brings me to an event I attended in February that spoke to my soul and solidified my resolve to pursue this path. Two speakers addressed the topic, “The Status of Women Worldwide: Becoming Empowered as Global Citizens.” After Dr. Valerie Hudson presented data centered around the statement “what you do to your women you do to your nation-state,” Sharon Eubank spoke. Her call to action rang with truth.

“I never want to discount the power of individuals themselves to create change. … Don’t wait to be the change that you seek. People say all the time to me ‘The church should do this. The government should do this.’ And I think ‘We are those people. They are us. We should.’ But I don’t ever want to wait for somebody else to organize something or plan something. I’ll be the one. Can we be the ones to do that? The second we learn that lesson, the power of that lesson, that I don’t need to wait for someone to organize something, everything shifts. … We have to understand, there are things that we can do… and we should do them.”

– Sharon Eubank, February 19, 2020 (emphasis added)

I believe in the power of the one. I believe that I can leverage my agency and voice to change the world around me, and I believe the same is true for you. If we refuse delivery of the hatred, anger, and contention that seem so prevalent in our society, we will have space to create relationships that are beautiful, healing, and loving.

I know you already do this. You constantly create goodness in your spheres of influence. It’s one of the reasons I love you. Will you share some of what you’re doing in the comments below? I want us to celebrate them.

My latest efforts to support goodness have looked like this:

• Helping a high school senior with her senior thesis.
• Attending a fundraiser event for Operation Underground Railroad, organized by said extraordinary high school senior.
• Using reusable bags when grocery shopping.
• Texting encouraging messages to friends who are experiencing hard things.

It can be pretty simple stuff. In fact, usually the best stuff is simple. Let’s be the change we seek, my friends. And let’s cheer each other on as we go.

*If you’re looking for ways to engage in the community, check out justserve.org. It is an awesome resource where you can find opportunities to serve in your very own neighborhood.