Well for crying out loud, help them, of course.
AND do what you can, again- what you can, to help those who you can't see, who are far away, who are indeed in crisis.
It's not either-or, it's both-and.
The way I see it, if the whole Earth is like my body, and the human beings on it are like the cells in my body, I would choose to take care of both the cells in my feet AND the cells in my hands, the cells in my face AND the cells in my heart, the cells in my legs AND the cells in my kidney and liver. I couldn't choose a few cells, perhaps the ones in my eyes, over others, perhaps the ones in my brain.
That's how I see it. We have to take care of all of humanity, all of the planet actually, even the birds and the bees and the hippos. Even the worms and the mice. Because we ARE a part of a larger body called Earth. And if parts of Earth aren't healthy, we are bound to be less healthy.
But I'm just one person. What can I do?
Each of us can do a lot, but not alone. We need each other. We can all do a little. We can all do what we can.
With each inhale, I accept all gifts. With each exhale, I give all that I can.
Holding back hurts. Pushing hurts. But accepting and giving all that we can--- every moment--- this is where LIFE happens.
xox
~dawn
Sometimes it does feel overwhelming. But here is where being a locavore isn't the most helpful thing, because for many areas of the world, there isn't anyone locally who has the resources to help. The wealth and resources of the planet aren't evenly distributed. Some days it doesn't feel like I have a single spare resource, but even on the worst days I have clean water that comes from a tap in my home, I have food, I feed and care for my animals, I own a vehicle, I have electricity and a computer and I get paid for the work I do. If I had to look into the eyes of a person who didn't have any of those things, I would do whatever I could to help them. It's a bit of a lie to pretend them away just because they aren't standing in front of you, and at the same time, yes, it's overwhelming. I understand people who really really really want to just put their heads in the sand, go shopping at the mall, buy a shiny magazine. Except for the mall part, some days I'm that person. But only some days.
ReplyDeleteJeannie,
ReplyDeleteYou put this so well. In many parts of the world, there ISN'T anyone locally who has the resources to help. The wealth and resources of the planet are NOT evenly distributed. You are so right.
Today I just want to snuggle up on the couch and read a good book and for part of the day I will. And for part of the day I will keep working on fund raising so that next February I many have the opportunity to look into the eyes of a few someones whom our efforts have helped.
I'm over the moon today because the shadow bike photo has garnered some more donations to OTM. $45 above my printing costs for the one that someone got today. I need to go back to the printer for more of them!! I love that shadow bike more every day!