No man or woman of the humblest sort can really be strong, gentle, pure and good without the world being better for it, without somebody being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness.
- Phillips Brooks
I haven't been making the world a better place recently. I've been cranky, frustrated and downright angry with folks. The media keeps lambasting John Edwards for being "angry" in his message. Perhaps that's why he appeals to me. If you're not angry in this nation right now, you haven't been paying attention. We all have every right to be angry - an illegal war we were lied into, falling wages, rising inflation, rising poverty. The only ones who aren't angry are those still making a fortune on the backs of others. Of course, the only reason anyone is talking about an economic "stimulus" package is because some of the fat cats are now seeing their own empires affected by the Bush economic scorched earth policies. That's why the businesses are getting big tax cuts and again the little people get crumbs or outright ignored.
Angry? You bet.
But, unfortunately for us - and John Edwards - you can't make the world better by simply getting angry. The challenges around us may make us angry, but we must transform our anger into compassion - into compassionate action. Not the "compassionate conservative" lip service, but true action that helps people. Bug the heck out of your Senator so unemployment and food stamp benefits get into this "stimulus" package. Don't do it with anger, but with gentleness and compassion. Find someone near you with needs and help them. Put feet and arms on your anger and use your energy to help and comfort those around you. That's what makes the world better.
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