Seeds of Change

In my May 9 post titled PassionQuest, I outlined three ways to connect with your passion.  Ask yourself:

v    What am I passionate about doing?

v    Who am I passionate about being?

v    What makes my blood boil?

I love all these questions, but the last one surprises many people – what makes my blood boil.  People tell me they had never thought of this as a way to surface passion, and it scares the daylights out of them.  Even to think about things that enrage us – issues, injustices, cruelties – is scary and also heart breaking.  We don’t want to get too close, and we definitely don’t want to deepen our connection or bring more into our daily lives. 

I’m not advocating that you become a walking vessel of rage; but I believe those feelings are within you for a reason, and one of those reasons is to spark you to action.  Does that intimidate you?  Like climbing Mt. Everest – a great accomplishment for people with the desire, fortitude and funding, but not for you. After all how can you, one person, heal the environment, eradicate cruelty to animals, and change cultures that treat women as second-class citizens or property. (OK – those are my three…)  What can one little person do?

Margaret Mead said:  “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Don’t ignore the issues that are really painful for you, but don’t torture yourself with them either.  If you get enraged by cruelty to animals, you don’t have to become someone who breaks up dog fighting rings unless you’re one of those rare and wonderful people who are cut out for that type of work.  Search for other things you can do to find that sweet spot of making a difference in a way that feeds your own spirit.

Utilize your strengths and resources.  What are you cut out to do?  If you have financial means, contribute.  If you’re an entrepreneur with a big network, raise awareness and money.  If you have some extra time, volunteer. 

Become Johnny Appleseed:  sow seeds and inspire. Do you care passionately about the environment?  Check out this great website, www.whatcanonepersondo.com.  This site provides great resources and ideas on things individuals like you and I can do to help the environment.  It’s run by “everyday people who work during the week and do normal things like go to the beach on weekend.”   What ideas does this site spark for action on a cause that matters to you?  In what ways can you, an everyday person, become a resource for others who want to take action but don't know what to do?

It’s not always about the money.  Well, OK, money is sometimes a help, but not everyone is Bill Gates.  Not everyone has billions of dollars to throw at an issue, and not all issues are solved by money.  My friend, Michele, is a fan of Anthony Bourdain.  While filming an episode of his tv show in Haiti, he saw so many hungry children hanging around the street food carts and wanted to help.  So he bought out one of the food carts for the day so he could give these people food.  A riot ensued with the larger, more powerful kids beating out the smaller kids.  The situation escalated out of control, and he was horrified and heart broken.  He then interviewed Sean Penn who helped him understand that these people don’t need a one-time infusion of money.  What they need is people rolling up their sleeves working side by side doing things like building housing and digging sewage trenches.  Money doesn’t solve everything.  There is a growing number of volunteer vacation organizations where you and perhaps your family or group of friends can make a difference with your own hands.

If there are issues that you’re passionate about, swallow hard and face down your fear.  Stretch a bit past your comfort zone, and get in the game.  Starting with small steps is just fine - who knows where they’ll lead you?  With commitment and consistency you’ll be walking your talk, and what could be better for both you and for your cause.