#2 - What I can control.

I want to change the world, obviously.  Who doesn't?

However, I have recently come to the understanding that trying to change anyone other than myself is often a foolish venture (at best).

Still doesn't stop me from thinking I can change the world.

Wait.  If I know that the only change I can affect with any certainty is internal, how do I expect to change the world?

Easy.

First, I need to continue to consciously work to be a better human being.

I should probably pause here for a bit of disclosure: I believe in the teachings of Jesus, and I live in the Christian faith tradition.  However, I'm not here to tell you that the only way you can do good in this world is by engaging in the same faith traditions as me.

If the only reason that you are kind to others is because of some fear of a higher power, I think you're doing it wrong.

That might have come out wrong, let me rephrase.

Churches, mosques, synagogues, places of worship in general are wonderful places to gather to engage in fellowship and gain a deeper understanding of the faith traditions.  I love my church family and I love the work that we do there to make the world a slightly better place.  I just don't believe that you have to go to a place of worship to be a better human being.

You just need to work on you.

One more disclaimer, I promise.  Anytime you see the word "you" in any of my postings, you should assume that I am calling myself out.  I don't know the inner workings of your mind; I only know the thoughts and actions I have personally.

OK, so again, how can I change the world if I'm only worried about changing myself?

By spreading the word that we ALL have only to change ourselves, and the world is changed.  Can I control how you think?  Nope.  Do I want to?  Again, nope.  I want to work on myself so that in all actions and interactions I am living up to what I believe to be the gold standard for living: treat others the way you would like to be treated.

That is so easy to write, and yet so hard to do.  I'm accustomed to living in a self-absorbed society, where consumerism is more important than altruism.  We're taught to focus on ourselves, and in some ways, that's ok.  You should take care of your health: mental, physical, and emotional.

However, as any good parent will tell you, there are times when your wants are overshadowed by the needs of others.  When you live in community with others (children, parents, extended family, friends, neighbors, whatever), you can begin to appreciate that there is a world beyond your belly button.  These people around you have similar wants, needs, and feelings.  Do you tune them out, when you hear them calling?

I'm not asking for a scorecard, or a tally sheet, but how often do you consider helping others before you take care of your own wants?  What are the tiny little things that you could do to show love to your fellow human beings, making your corner of the globe a better place?

What do I care if it takes the rest of my life (or beyond) for us to make the next step as a species?  If I (and others, far better than me) can set an example today that influences one person, the machine is set in motion.

Do you know someone who needs to read this?  Feel free to pass it along!

#1 - it had to start somewhere.

I am you.

Well, to be more precise, I am just like you.

Wait, you thought you were unique? That you were the only one just like you?

Nope, we're all perfectly normal people with no cares in the world, living the dream, right?

Oh sure, people come in different colors, but I'm sure that you're not the only one that is the color you are. Similarly with gender, no matter what your physical makeup is, I'll bet that you have a match somewhere in the world. Sexuality? Please!

Of course, we do have differences, that's not the debate here.

We also share a key similarity, one that I think is often overlooked: we are all human beings.

We're not different species, incapable of crossbreeding, like cats and goldfish.

We are all people.

Unfortunately, even though we are all the same in the one key aspect that matters, we frequently allow our myriad differences and diversities to divide us into camps and categories.

I seek to break down the hateful barriers that separate us. We can be different, but still respectful of the differences. We don't need to agree on everything, but we can still respect the right of the other to believe as they so choose.

There is ALWAYS middle ground. Always.

Where can this middle ground be found?

In the fact that we are all human beings, cognitively capable (for the most part) of making choices regarding our behavior and actions towards others.

That is what I would like to tackle here: the choices we face as humans, and how these choices dictate our interactions with each other locally, nationally, and globally.

I would love to use this blog to engage you in dialog on these issues, if you would be so kind (or interested) as to participate?  I'll post thoughts from time to time, and then we can engage in dialog in the comments (that's the goal, at least).

One request (well, a bit stronger than a request, I suppose). Keep it civil. I'm all about exploring various angles and perspectives, but not at the expense of hurtful rhetoric being thrown around.

Sound good?

Ok, let's begin.