“To remain silent and indifferent is the greatest sin of all.” ― Elie Wiesel
Walking through my days, I bump against things that upset me.
“It’s just not right,” I think to myself. I might even mumble it out loud. Then I shrug and walk quickly past. I’m on my way to the urgent. This can wait for another day.
Yet, I’m proud I noticed at all, when most seem so unaware. Indifference keeps us safe. As the saying goes, “Just stick to the knitting to avoid any hassles in life,” right?
But it’s the actual indifference that is wrong. That’s the thing not right. It’s my indifference needs fixin’.
So that’s where I’ll start.
I’ll welcome the stranger: the homeless on the park bench and the face at the end of the pew. I’ll pick up the trash: the tire in the ditch and the Starbucks cup mindlessly tossed.
I’ll stop walking past the important on my way to the urgent. Hopefully, this new knitting will begin to mend my indifference.
Nowhere is it written that I should just leave the world how I find it.
A new year with a new intention, “To welcome the stranger and pick up the trash.”
Greetings 2018. We’re glad you’re here. We’ll fix a fresh spot for you to stay all year.
As always, the conversation starts here.
“In the ordinary choices of every day we begin to change the direction of our lives.” – Eknath Easwaran
Right on target Bruce.
Thank you, Donnie.
I hope this new knitting will begin to mend my indifference –
Happy New Year!
– Bruce
Thanks Bruce. Thanks for your thoughtful ideas.
Donnie –
For me, the ideas are easy, it’s the doing that’s hard.
What resolutions have you made for 2018?
– Bruce
Hello, Bruce. My Dad always said to leave a place better than you found it, and that’s a simple idea that’s worth holding onto. I think that started with family camping trips, cleaning up camp sites even if you didn’t make the mess, leaving extra firewood for the next camper, etc. But it applies wherever you go. I find myself doing easy things that help, such as grabbing a shopping cart someone left behind if I’m heading toward the store anyway. Now I don’t patrol the parking lot rounding up all the missing carts, by any means — I just… Read more »
Blair – Your dad taught you well. A family camping trip makes the perfect classroom. They should be “required,” if for nothing other than the lessons offered. Your family trips taught you to be helpful and now shows when you corral the stray cart at the market. None of us are saints, but we should avoid indifference. That’s why I’m welcoming the stranger and picking up trash in ’18, and for many years to come – I hope. “Nowhere is it written that I should just leave the world how I find it.” Dads turn out to have been good… Read more »