Monday, February 9, 2009

A Single Step Defines Who We Are

As stated by Alyssa, we are all in this together. I feel that the message given to me within my own neighborhood is selfishness. No one talks to one another and no one helps each other. This is saddening at times, however this does not bring me down. My family has always taught me to open your heart to everyone. Selfish is not a word in my family. To me social activism is very important. We were all placed on earth and so we might as well make a difference while were here. We must all do the best we can to better our community and our city.

Chapter three really made it clear for me that to make a difference in our lives we do not have to always do something amazing. And to accomplish great tasks and goals withing our lives, we must first take a single step. This single step defines who we are as a citizen. If we are too afraid to take a step outside of our comfort zone than we are not any better than our neighbor complaining about an issue, but not doing a single thing about it.

I feel that an ability that I possess is speaking. I am a very sociable person and I love hearing others stories and ideas. I feel that I can use public speaking or speaking to others in regards to their problems as a talent. Although I do enjoy speaking, I also like to listen. By listening you can learn a lot about a person.

Since we are in this world together, it is important not only to identify our feelings and goals in life. But it is also important to hear and learn others feelings and goals.

7 comments:

of.cedars said...

It's as easy as falling off a mountain- all you have to do is jump!

I feel it is important what you say about the comfort zone, as I am of the school of thought that, as Bob Proctor puts it, "You are the only problem you will ever have and the only solution."

Even the best of opportunities is worthless if we fail to realize it as such and act!

Free the reckless gods within! ;)

Jessica Wolf said...

Amanda,

I completely agree with what you are stating here. I believe that the hardest step is the first one. Realizing this and still pushing through and setting forth to make a difference is the greatest accomplishment.

:-)

Alyssa Huff said...

I totally agree with what you said in selfishness in your neighborhood! I see that all the time in mine. It is so unfortunate that we rarely have neighbors who actually converse with one another. Yet it also prevents us from benefiting our society because we get caught up in ourselves.

I also agree with you that the first step is the hardest one. Everyone struggles with that all through their life, and it's not just when trying to make a difference. So maybe because we do have the struggle so frequently, it prevents us even further when it comes to the first step in becoming active in our community...

Well said =D

of.cedars said...

"Be the change that you want to see in the world." Mahatmas Gandhi

Have you guys gone and rung your neighbor's doorbells?

Unknown said...

I agree with you, the first step can be the hardest. I found it difficult to enroll in the class because I didn't know anybody and being in large groups is usually not my thing. Now I am very glad I did and I look forward to making the difference I want to see.

Anna Mann said...

"If we are too afraid to take a step outside of our comfort zone than we are not any better than our neighbor complaining about an issue, but not doing a single thing about it."

I really like what you said here! It rings true on many issues. I hear people complaining about issues all the time. Presidents for example, but when I ask them if they voted their answer is almost always no. I sometimes feel that the things people complain about the most they just expect someone else to fix for them. Instead of being willing to take that first step as you said to do it themselves.

Dr. V said...

I always tell my students that you learn best when you get out of your comfort zone.
I agree about neighborhoods though. Mine is the same because Rick and I have lived in the same house for 10 years and I only know the people across the street. They were the only ones willing to talk to us. Maybe we are weird but I tend to think no.