Monday, February 2, 2009

Giving Back

I completely agree with Paul Loeb’s statement that "when we shrink from the world, our souls shrink, too." Like Loeb states in his book Soul Of A Citizen, true heroes are ordinary people that stand up for what they believe in no matter the circumstance. If we don’t stand up for our true beliefs then we eventually end up being an ‘outcast.’ Our motivation to contribute to our world dies down. I can attest to this because I remember a time in my life where I believed that if I just don’t get involved in my community then they won’t bother me and I won’t bother them. Thinking I was benefiting myself when really I was hurting myself. I was blocking the way in which I can voice my opinion and contribute to my community. I was closing the door to the opportunity I had to give back.

Paul Loeb writes "We can ignore the problems that lie just beyond our front door; we can allow decisions to be made in our name that lead to a meaner and more desperate world....or we can work...to shape a more generous common future."

2 comments:

of.cedars said...

"...I believed that if I just don’t get involved in my community then they won’t bother me and I won’t bother them. Thinking I was benefiting myself when really I was hurting myself."

Such an important realization, and a view that I think needs to spread. The hurt comes in so many forms too. As evidenced by the posts here, there are many ways people can see the damage caused by separatist or isolationist thinking, both in persons and in groups/nations.

Bow Maker said...

I can agree with this too considering most people harbor these exact thoughts. Its a scary thing to stand in front of someone who adamantly believes they are right and tell them you dont agree based on personal beliefs. Takes a real motivated individual to do that, let alone surpass both the obstacle of yourself first, then the counter item under discussion.