Tonight I was reading about the fire in San Andres, Philippines. It took me back to the Philippines and how driving past those little shanti villages, my heart would break and my eyes would fill with tears. I thought, then, about the little kids who would run up to me, assuming that as a white person I was well off and would buy necklaces from them. So I would buy necklaces. The more necklaces I bought, the more kids brought them to me. I ran out of money before I bought them all. It broke my heart.
As I was thinking about this my heart began to burn with injustice and the frustration of nothing being done about this. To be honest, my frustration should be pointed at myself. Frequently I will think of small things to do that would make a huge difference but think “That is so small it won’t matter if I don’t do it” and so I irresponsibly go on with life as I know it.
There are so many tiny changes.. “sacrifices” as we like to extravagantly call them.. that could save lives. I don’t do these things because I’m too comfortable where I am and don’t feel my contribution is necessary.
No more.
You must be the change you want to see in the world.
I must be the change I want to see in the world.
Starting now.
Who is with me?
