It seems like every day we wake up to more news of hatred,
violence, and discontent in the world.
Senseless shootings, abuse of the weak and vulnerable, and enough daily
dishonesty to make even the most idealistic individual lose faith in humanity. With all of this, it’s easy to be
defeated. It’s easy to be a pedestrian,
a passenger in life and resign to the hopelessness of our world.
But does it really have to be this way?
At the risk of being one of those idealistic dreamers (but
as Lennon once said, “I’m not the only one”), I have to wonder aloud if hope
still has a place in our world. Is it
too naïve to believe in something? Is it
ridiculous to expend the time and effort to do something (anything) to make the
world a better place?
I’m not bold enough to give any answers here. I’m only asking the questions. But maybe together we can test this. Together we can light a candle for hope in
the darkness that is our world.
It can start tomorrow. It can start with a small act.
Instead of putting the change in your pocket, put it the jar
in front of the register. The one with
the picture of the sick person you don’t want to look at and don’t want to
think about.
Instead of driving by the homeless guy with his makeshift
sign and faraway look, empty your wallet.
Put some cash in hands and bless his next meal.
Instead of offering polite sympathy the next time a co-worker,
neighbor or friend shares one of life’s burdens, look for a tangible way to
help. Maybe it’s a heartfelt note. Maybe it’s a cup of coffee and an ear. Maybe it’s a meal. Maybe it’s a song.
It may seem naïve to hope for a better world. It may seem futile to light our candle to
change when hopelessness is all around. But
as a wise person once said, it is only when good men (women) do nothing that
the darkness truly wins.
