You know what I think about a lot? Changing the world. You know what I don’t do a lot of? Changing the world.
I struggle with changing the world versus changing my world. How important is one over another?
I know what I can control. I know the little differences I can make. I know how it adds up and influences others. Ultimately, that’s how every movement starts. With one or two people and a few ideas. Sometimes those ideas are radical but in order for the movement to take shape, those ideas have to go mainstream.
I was talking to one of my friends about all of this. I’m a Gen X-er. She’s from Gen Y, or what some people call a millenial. Her feeling is that so much is wrong with the world and so much still needs to be change. I couldn’t help but disagree.
I was born in the 1970s. I’m into my 5th decade on Earth (wow, that makes me sound really old). And I recounted so many of the changes I’ve seen in my lifetime…
- We went from glass containers to plastic containers and now some are back to glass. But they’re all recyclable.
- Recycling is the law in many states (including mine).
- Smoking is banned in many public establishments (my first year of high school still included a designated smoking section for students).
- Homosexuality is more mainstream than ever with major gay characters in both TV and movies
- Many animal shelters, included county-owned and operated facilities, have adopted no-kill policies
Now, I’m sure for every step forward in one area, we’ve taken a step back in another. However, I feel encouraged when I see change. It might takes decades for the change to be enacted but to think of my life growing up in the 70s compared to our lives today, I’m much happier with the world we have.
The work is never done though. There is more education to be had. There is always more change to be had. The difference that I see is that more people want it and more people care about it and more people are willing to do something about it.
But what can you do? How does one person make a difference?
Through your writing, your voice, your actions, your message.
There are a few things I believe in strongly and I hope some of those things have been reflected here on this blog.
I have a passion for the environment. As a former biologist, my favorite subject was tree ecology. Every Earth Day, you’ll find me participating in local events and last year, I got my son involved in a trash pick-up.
I want to end hunger. Whether it’s world hunger or hunger in your very own city, there’s no reason for any person to go hungry ever. It’s why I starting working as a Social Media Ambassador for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
I want every child to feel safe and protected. When crimes are committed against children, my blood boils in a rage. I’ve written about it simply to get it out but we need change in the laws to better protect our children and severely punish the offenders.
I want animals (wild and domesticated) to have rights. I have no tolerance for cruelty to animals. In most cases, I feel that these crimes should be treated as felonies. I also believe that animal owners need to be held accountable and responsible for the care they give their animals.
These are by no means all of the causes that live in my heart. But these are the causes you don’t have to go very deep to find. I’m going to be spending more time this year figuring out how to use my voice to make a difference. And I want to help you do the same.
I’m working on a project (shhhh – I can’t tell you about it yet but I promise I will shout it from the rooftops when I can) and I want you to be a part of it. There’s nothing for you to do now except stay tuned and hopefully tell me how excited you are too.
And, more importantly, I’d love for you to tell me what you feel passionate about and if/how you’ve used your online voice to make a difference.
31 comments
I want to raise my son to want to make a difference right where he is along with my husband and I.
Perfect sentiment. I don’t know if you’ve checked out The Mother Co. but I love their stuff. It’s all about raising our kids to be good people.
There is so much I would change. I’m not sure where I would start!
But I do like to think that my blog gives people a sense of not being alone, and also I hope that it empowers people to be the best they can be!
Sometimes that a HUGE thing. I love that the internet hasn’t isolated us but connected us in ways we couldn’t have imagined.
Such a thoughtful post, Fadra. You have made me ponder – yes, what is the difference between changing the world and changing my world? Which am I doing? Where is the value? And if I put my efforts into one, does it change the other? Good brain food and I need to think about what my answers are.
(But your top four beliefs? AGREE. Oh so much.)
Jen – this is definitely near and dear to my heart and I can’t wait to share more with you.
I want to find a way to teach my kid to be grateful for all they have and lose the “I’m entitled” attitude that so many kids,teens, and adults have.
I want to see the roadways free of drunk drivers and texting drivers who cause so much heartache when “accidents” happen.
3 cheers for making small changes- for each effort has an affect. (effect)
Thanks for sharing this!!
I’m from the ’70s too. 🙂
@MissMeB8
Beccah – thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. It’s a challenge to want to give your kids the best but make sure they appreciate every last bit of it. My son is 5 now and I’m anxious to take him to the local food bank. He’s old enough to volunteer on a Saturday (with me of course) and I really want him to understand how others live. I don’t scare him but I definitely like to expose him to how others live.
I think the only things I would add to your excellent list are making healthcare available to everyone and equal treatment for all people, no matter what their politics, sex, race or whatever makes them unique.
There is no excuse for our civilized nation to allow a person to go without the best healthcare available. Health is the most basic RIGHT for all people, not just those who can afford insurance. Oops, on my soapbox.
The other issue, fairness, is also a basic right. The constitution says we are equal. There is no excepts in the statement. Just because someone makes you uncomfortable doesn’t make them less equal.
Lynda – you are right about healthcare. I wrote a 2 part post last year on that very thing. While I am very fortunate to have ridiculously good insurance, only a year ago I was completely uninsured and really had my eyes open as to how “the other half” lives.
Over the weekend I started feeling more passionate about politics – and just how messed up the current system is. Granted, I don’t know everything about it all – but if I can share my views, and maybe educated someone on the importance of being involved – then I would say it’s a pretty good day.
Now just to write it all out… and figuring out how/where to go next with it. 🙂
EDUCATION IS HUGE!!! It’s why I like to write about so many different things. We are often taught to be puppets. We believe what our parents or friends believe without really giving it thought. And by learning enough to educate others, you really educate yourself!
This is exactly the post I needed to read today, I *needed* to know that there are people outside of my office who feel the same way I do. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with all the bad that I can’t even see the good anymore. There has been a lot of progress made, and there amazing people making more progress every day. Thank you for reminding me of that.
Anne – there are LOTS of us out there and just so many people that don’t do anything because they don’t know that they can. As you know, we’ve got some big things in the works that I hope will help!
I’m a Gen Xer too (though a little bit later one. Sometimes I feel generationaless). Like you I think animal cruelty should be a felony. I’d say a big issue about which I am passionate is infertility and correcting the stereotypes and misunderstandings about it as well as any advocacy I could provide. I’m also passionate about literacy though I haven’t done much with that except buy my son lots of books and read to him constantly. For work, I’m passionate about manufacturing and its necessity to our state’s and nation’s economic vitality.
Good post!
I love your passions especially because they are so different than mine. It reminds me why we need to many people with so many interests to help make a difference.
Your list is wonderful. I would certainly add literacy and healthcare to my passion points as well as arts for children. I am just so sad to see so many programs disappearing. Thank you for the reminder to really use my voice and I can’t wait to hear your news!
Healthcare, YES! How to change it? That’s another question. I love that you also mentioned literacy and the arts. Those are both so important, especially for a well-balanced life but I don’t often think about them.
Your list is wonderful. I would certainly add literacy and healthcare to my passion points as well as arts for children. I am just so sad to see so many programs disappearing. Thank you for the reminder to really use my voice and I can’t wait to hear your news!
I am the most passionate about justice and giving those who have none a voice so they can be heard.
I’m Gen-X, too, and I also remember the changes that have happened since the 1970s and they all have something in common: they were slow, gradual changes that started with one person and spread to many. It started from the bottom up. That’s how I believe lasting change will happen: one person at a time.
I am the most passionate about justice and giving those who have none a voice so they can be heard.
I’m Gen-X, too, and I also remember the changes that have happened since the 1970s and they all have something in common: they were slow, gradual changes that started with one person and spread to many. It started from the bottom up. That’s how I believe lasting change will happen: one person at a time.
Justice. Ah, yes. I’ve thought so many times of going to law school for that very reason. And so many different groups that need their voice to be heard.
Thanks for believing in one person at a time.
Beautiful post, Fadra. It can seem overwhelming to look globally at issues of justice, environment, health, security and human rights. When I feel disheartened, I like to reflect on this Margaret Mead quote: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.
I love that quote. I may have to use that, especially in this new project coming up. Yes, it is overwhelming and I think that’s why many people think it’s better to just do nothing at all.
Thanks for sharing your passion. It’s important to stand up and let people know where you stand and are not backing down.
I also have a list but I have been thinking a lot our responsibility to the planet. I’m amazed that there aren’t more people of faith concerned about how we treat this beautiful creation.
Thanks for a beautiful thought. People of faith – we talk about the Earth being God’s creation and our bodies being temples. Yes, there is a lot of faith-based causes people should start exploring.
This is the second secret project I’ve heard about today!
I am passionate about diabetes, blindness, hunger, homelessness, healthcare and education, and choices. I would lend my voice for any of these things.
Wonderful, Jennifer! I know I’ll be talking to you when my secret is not so secret 🙂
I would love to see more parents take an active role in their child’s education BEFORE they enter Kindergarten. As an educator I run into so many families that just don’t know how to do it. I wish their was a way to teach these families how to be their child’s first educator. I just started blogging about my life as a new mommy and I hope to include all our “learning through play” adventures as my son gets older.
Amen and amen. Education starts at birth, in my opinion. At 5 years old, I’m really seeing the fruits of my labor. Not just in the incredibly smart, thoughtful, and inquisitive little boy he’s become but in the good person I see him shaping up to be.
I really like all of your passions. I agree some things do seem better… it used to be more common place to just take an animal “behind the barn” when it was no longer wanted. I think that is so sad. I agree with you on the kids too. There are too many little ones disappearing in the night and too often the people that should have been caring for them are the ones that hurt them. I am a project linus coordinator in my area and even though a warm blanket doesn’t fix their pain it helps them emotionally. I think that is important, especially when you see a child that has no one visiting and no one brought them anything special from home…. so the blanket is the only thing they get that looks normal to them. I also want to start knitting/ crocheting warm stuff for the homeless shelter. I gets really cold here.