"The country is in deep trouble. We've forgotten that a rich life consists fundamentally of serving others, trying to leave the world a little better than you found it. We need the courage to question the powers that be, the courage to be impatient with evil and patient with people, the courage to fight for social justice. In many instances we will be stepping out on nothing, and just hoping to land on something. But that's the struggle. To live is to wrestle with despair, yet never allow despair to have the last word."
— Cornel West
I love this quote.
I would only be lying if I said or insinuated in any way that my life has always been a reflection of leaving the world a better place than what I found it, and that is my greatest despair.
I have the most grandiose ideas and dreams of the "me" that is a little more tolerant, and much calmer, and less of a provocateur. The "me" that cares a little more, and does a little more to correct injustices when I see them and to never be the catalyst for the injustices.
I dream of the "me" where the kindest words flow and the eyes rolling ceases and the frustrations are less frequent with myself and with the (few) people that I let into my life.
I wish I could blink my eyes and wiggle my nose and make this "me" appear. But I know the truth is that any transformation takes time. Any transformation that is real and true takes time.
The Buddhist philosophy that "there is no "me" and there is no "you" " holds out a beacon of hope that we can all transform into a more selfless and more tolerant beings.
My deepest hope is that I will or do somehow leave the world and the people I impact and interact with a better place than what it was or who they are as I leave them for the day or for the week, or for the years until we meet again.
Mistakes will be made, ill words said, regrets will be plentiful. But my hope will always trump my despairs. And hope, I have found, is the marrow of life.
Peace to you all.
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