"When we shrink from the world, our souls shrink, too".
I agree with this statement from a literal aspect. Human beings thrive on other human beings. Every person has psychological needs that must be met. Needs that include interaction with others and acceptance. Loneliness can crush the very soul of any person.
But...
What if the world is really shrinking our souls?
Every day the newspaper, internet, radio, television reaches billions of people, telling us about more and more problems; problems that are left without answers. People have become "desensitized" to the fact that these "problems" are real. We may empathize for that sparce moment in time, but quickly forget when our daily agendas take over.
On the other hand, there are those that do not forget, but become overwhelmed. If there are so many problems, and so little people who care, how is anything going to be resolved?
I find myself in this category often.
I can recall feeling this way just over a month ago when I traveled to the small town of Terrazas, Mexico. Observing the so-called "streets" covered in so much debris, the shacks that so many called home, and the faces with looks of despair; it all broke my heart. I felt hopeless, thinking, "how could this town ever look any better; so much repair is needed and it would take decades."
I could not find any hope. I was letting the world "shrink" my soul.
I love the fact that Loeb points out that heroes are everyday people. They are the people who have not become "desensitized" or overwhelmed by the world's downfalls. I and others must believe that we can make a difference. We must not be discouraged by the immensity of an issue, but encouraged by the people we can touch.
Stop looking for hope, be the hope others are looking for.
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2 comments:
I like your view. Loeb touches on that around page 48 I think. It seems like we take for granted items that are considered "normal" and always fight to uphold their sense of constancy. It is a human liability that we cant open our eyes sometimes, viewing the whole picture rather than the tiny scope of our reality. With advances of the Internet, we have come a lot further however than thirty years ago.
-Jeremy
I agree but it only takes one person to start a ripple in a sea of change.
For example, look at poverty? Will we ever solve this major societal issue, probably not, but we can start at ways to change how people live in poverty. Frederick Ozanan started St. Vincent de Paul organization with no money and no help. Today, it's a international organization fighting poverty. Yes, it's been a long time but I've seen the success on several families. They do make it out of poverty and if they can change at least one person's world, that makes it all worthwhile.
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