It was 75 degrees this afternoon in North Carolina. There was no breeze and no clouds. The grass is still green and the air is still sweet with the smell of honeysuckle and paper trees. If you haven’t smelled a paper tree, it’s like lemongrass mixed with sugar. It’s sweet, but not as sweet as sugar tastes. It’s refreshing. One of those things that seems entirely untouched by human hands, and for that it made me think pretty hard about all of the things my hands have touched. I laid down in the grass, trying to find stillness in an unsettled world and reminisce on whether or not I have been complacent.
My political party doesn’t matter, especially in the wake of the recent election. It has nothing to do with my opinions about society, and it has nothing to do with what I want for this country. For my friends, my family, and for myself. What matters is that instead of waking up filled with rage and an emotional cacophony, I woke up encouraged to act for change. I woke up encouraged that it is now a time to act, and a time to work for change. Without motivation, without inspiration, and without fear for what the future might hold… there would be no revolutionary change.
If I were complacent, I wouldn’t want change. I wouldn’t want to find an organization to pledge help to. If I weren’t worried about the future, I wouldn’t be inspired to find a place in this world where my help might mean something. If politicians were honest and transparent about what they really thought they might accomplish, I probably wouldn't have thought about what strengths I have and where they might be needed. Instead, on Wednesday morning I called Planned Parenthood to see if I could volunteer there. Maybe their blog needed editing, maybe their doors needed opening for ushering young women inside. They might not need any help, but I asked. I reached out, offering my time and my determination to do something useful.
Worried about whether social security or funding will be removed from seniors? Find a retirement home and offer your time. Afraid for the disabled? Find a school where a disability program exists and volunteer. At the very least, support those teachers. Concerned for immigrants and Muslims? Educate yourself on their religion, and help others get to know that they're no harm to the United States. We have to do much more than protest in order to incite change.
If you can think of nothing to offer, nothing to do... Reach out. I'll help you find something.
