I was sitting in church this Sunday and we had a simple prayer. One part really stood out for me:
“We imagine a world where peace and justice are the ordinary realities of life. We dream of a planet where giving and sharing are second nature to all people. We envision an earth where joy and celebration fill the news and our lives.”
Just take a second today — what if you opened your newspaper or clicked on a news link and saw this:
- “No Fighting Recorded Anywhere On The Globe — A World Record”
- “Soup Kitchens Overflowing With Food; All Charities Exceed Their Goals”
- “Elected Officials, Tea Party, Occupy Wall Street, and Police All Sit Down To Solve Problems”
Okay, maybe I had a little too much ‘spiced’ eggnog over the weekend. But what would it be like if you read something like this?
Is it crazy? Can it never happen? We are the same civilization who sent a man to the moon, eradicated smallpox and polio, and went from TNT to nuclear bombs in 6 short years.*
Let’s dial it down a little bit — what can you do in YOUR world, with all the PEOPLE you touch, in a SHORT amount of time?
- How can you add just a little more peace and justice?
- Where can you give and share just a little bit more?
- What can you do to build a little bit more joy and celebration to your world?
During this season, let’s see if we could do some of these things — what would happen if everyone added their little bit to the mix? Everyone took time out to add peace, giving, and joy to the world?
What would our world be like?
POST YOUR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS BELOW
*P.S. I’m not wild about bombs — it’s the speed, focus, and delivery of an IDEA. The Manhattan Project began modestly in 1939, but grew to employ more than 130,000 people and cost nearly US$2 billion (roughly equivalent to $24.4 billion as of 2011).
What would happen if we took $50 billion back in 2001 and eliminated petroleum from all transportation? What would our world be like today?
P.P.S. I hope I’m not proselytizing too much here — let’s focus more on the philosophy — not where it came from.
Image provided by paul (dex) at Flickr.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Rich,
Yes, Tis the season to give and give back! Some people can give with their dollars and others with their time. Both are important, not just during this time of year but all year long. If anyone is looking to volunteer this season, I’m sure our local food banks would appreciate a food drive from a neighborhood or wrap presents for an hour at http://www.domuskids.org.
Two small ideas, that can give so much to others.
Hi Rich,
Having gone from TNT to Nuclear Bomb in 6 years, why, after almost 60 years since the first Hydrogen bomb detonation (‘Ivy Mike’ 1st November 1952) have we still not harnessed the power of fusion in the service of mankind?
There are many scientists wrestling with this very complex task who deserve our support. While we must all do what we can as individuals to bring peace into our world we should also dream big. Dreams don’t come much bigger than limitless, pollution free energy.
So how would you get Elected officials, Tea Party, Occupy Wall Street and the Police to sit down together to solve problems?
There are many steps, one thing follows another. Let’s start, visit wfp.org and fill 100 cups.