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"probably gonna get myself in trouble here by making an observation..." quote Lizard Lady
Why would you be in trouble? I personally think your contribution here is important. It gives others permission to realize that a "mark" can be made by doing positive things in "smaller ways".
Making a mark doesn't have to mean we will be remembered as an individual for creating "positive" changes. What is really important is that what each of us can do to contribute in "positive" ways so we can create a wave of more positive and productive ways that people utilize that produces an "overall change" in many.
What you do Lizardlady, one challenged person at a time, can bear one individual that is enlightened enough to create even "more positive change". Your "mark" on one person can become a seed that can produce something even more positive to take place.
It is easy to sit back and see so many problems going on in the world today. To try to think about what someone can do to change the big picture is often so overwhelming that a lifetime can be spent with only wishes/talk/frustration and no contributions at all.
What I think about myself is that each person I touch and listen to, I try to validate the value of their individual existance. In the years I taught different children, I was most concerned with each child finding their own sense of personal value. And I was "happy" whenever I saw a child walk away from me with "more self esteem". I also talked to many different parents, especially during the time where there was such a surge in the Mac Mansion style of living. I told them that it doesn't matter the size of a home to a child, what matters is that the home is "a happy safe filled with love home". I know that was important because many parents did worry about "keeping up with what seemed like "the important things to have" at the time. I spent extra time with some of the parents to tell what I had noticed among the different children from different kinds of homes and that not all these children in these "big homes were outgoing and happy". Each of these parents had a new perspective on the value of what they did have and I know it made a differecnce. My mark was seeing that take place, not about me having any real power or long lasting recognition for that effort.
The world is full of people who crave permission to be able to be what they are and have "value" in that. By being a presence that can validate anyone's sense of self worth, can make such a big difference. Often we tend to forget that and get caught up in the bigger picture instead, which in my opinion can be wasteful.
I volunteered with foster kids, refugees (I always came home and went sleep, emotionally drained from that). I volunteered in Eastern europe, teaching kids English for free and trying to "sow a seed" of hope and "you can change this, you know?". quote Venus
That is wonderful Venus. I hope you continue to make these kinds of efforts, sharing your passion and education with others can plant many positive seeds out there. Some people take their education and use it for "self importance" and they can go around bragging about the materialistic things they have to show for what they "think" is proof of value. Perhaps this is the "shallow happiness" you are discribing. My happiness came from seeing the children I taught walk away with more "self esteem" and pride in themselves. My idea of a "mark" was in helping others build a stronger sense of "self", and doing that made me happy.
I consider "shallow happiness" as the people that gain success, and pride in some kind of big name. People who can go into an expensive auto store, buy an extremely expensive auto with cash, and on their way home to their mansion pass through a place where people are homeless and cold and not even be affected by it.
Open Eyes
Last edited by Open Eyes; Jan 27, 2013 at 02:24 PM.
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