America needs to shove its obsession with over-achievement and perfection straight up its petooty! How toxic it is to constantly push ourselves to be bigger, better, THE MOST_________(insert your own word here) and never appreciate who we are and what we do right now.
Case in point: at a highly spiritual type of meeting, a young man expressed guilt that he wasn’t doing more in the world. His exact verbage, expressed forlornly with head hung, was, “Mother Teresa and Ghandi only had 24 hours in the day too, and look what they did. I feel like I should be doing more.” And this came from the piehole of a grade school teacher!!! His occupation alone is doing enough for society–what daily aggravation from Indiana government’s tomfoolery this man endures just to do his job. Knowing him, he gives 120% to his students and colleagues.
Now let’s us just cease thoughts that our actions are only worthwhile and impactful energetically if they are HUGE! Bollocks! Something so “little” as to give a stranger a sincere compliment, allow another car to enter traffic as they seek to turn into the midst of a traffic jam, or simply turn off your cell phone while ordering coffee at a business, smile and say thanks to the employee serving you is enough! Kindness and courtesy go very far in contributing meaningfully to society. You don’t need to belong to the boards of 5 nonprofits, organize a gargantuan holiday gift collection at your church, or any of the other millions of time consuming activities you could be involved in. Just be a happy person, content with yourself, caring for yourself. When you love YOU and care for YOU, then you are naturally kinder to others because you exude some blissful energy!
So zip it on feeling like you have to single-handedly change the world by expending tons of time or money. Just be you and serve/give in whatever way comes naturally. Mother Teresa said, “Give, but give until it hurts.” Try just giving til it helps! (Thank you, author Elizabeth Gilbert for that idea!) See how much more you accomplish–all those “small” deeds do add up.
Sweda Says 