Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
-- Margaret Mead
We look back over a year.
It rises up to meet us...
with its challenges
to our sense of right and harmony:
Political divide after an election
and in the workings of our Congress;
Immigrants unable to arrive,
Refugees forced to flee...
Encounters in Paris, in London,
in Charlottesville...
wars in the Middle East...
floods in Asia, in Texas…
Some days it seems we stand
on the edge of an abyss,
trying to stay balanced,
to keep from falling
into despair.
In looking for saving grace,
we see the other,
the other who is desperate, too.
We find ourselves reaching out—
not very far—just to what’s
within our reach.
Compassion moves us
and we take action...
In small ways, close to home...
A small part of a big movement...
Or a big part of a small movement...
We move closer to the other...
We stand next to them
in our own shoes.
Taking small steps, we put
big forces in motion...
Forces for good, for healing,
for understanding,
for reconciliation, for rebuilding...
Out of compassion, we make an effort....
acting out of our passion
for good, for healing, for understanding
for reconciliation, for rebuilding...
We start where we are,
with our passion
and our love,
and the world around us moves,
toward good, toward healing,
toward understanding,
toward reconciliation, toward rebuilding...
My efforts meet with your efforts
and they pool, they flow,
in one great river of change.
And we find solace
and healing, and understanding,
and reconciliation, and repair
of our own spirit,
our own soul.
Cherrie Latuner
From The Charter for Compassion
....The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there...
Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity....
These links will be posted in a blog on Week at a Glance. Send us your ideas, and we will add them to the list.
Ways to make a start:
https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=5239&from=homepage&print=1
If you're looking for a local charity to support in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, please considerHouston SPCA,Houston Humane Society,Houston Food Bank, Food Bank of Corpus Christi, or San Antonio Humane Society. These highly-rated organizations are located in the most-affected areas and are providing support to individuals and animals.
This link provides a rated list of more than two dozen charities directly working to meet the needs of victims of the hurricane.
https://www.fastcompany.com/40461835/want-to-give-to-harvey-flood-victims-texas-5-things-to-consider-first?utm_source=nextdraft&utm_medium=email
Want To Give To Harvey Victims? 5 Things To Consider First
A scholar of philanthropy offers best practices to keep in mind when you contribute.
Local Resources/ Opportunities to get engaged:
https://truthschool.org/:
The Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership provides the tools for each citizen to uphold democracy. Classes —all free—are held throughout the Valley, from Greenfield to Springfield, and open to everyone, from teens to grandparents.
http://www.saysomethingnow.org/:
A prevention initiative of Safe Passage, the domestic violence organization in Northampton, Say Something Now offers Prevention Lab trainings monthly (to teens on up), an interactive training program that teaches participants how to act to create a safer community for all.