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What can I say?!
These were some difficult weeks inside of some challenging months.
I liken the recent events of racial injustice to a 400-year old wound that is trying to heal. It develops a scab but every so often, the scab is
scraped off by an unimaginable stinging event.
There are attempts to heal. The scab grows again but the fissure is so deep.
With the presence of the Coronavirus, a virus that the world has never seen before; that has caused so much death and suffering, this 400-year old wound was cut open by the seemingly casual killing of George Floyd.
We have witnessed the effects of the virus as the scab was seared off and
the wound opened up.
Infection: inflammation, pus, abscess, ugliness, pain.
How do you heal this wound?
Wash it off and put a bandaid on it?
No, not one that is so, so deep.
The only way to facilitate healing is to get to the root cause, clean it up, put things in place so the wound really heals, and doesn’t get aggravated again.
This is a time to open our ears and listen.
Open our eyes and see.
The world
is on pause and everyone has time to see and hear. There are no distractions.
The world is watching.
The world is taking to the streets denouncing racism.
This is in our faces whether we like it or not.
Where do we go from here?
It is not just Law Enforcement, the Police. They are just a symptom of a much larger problem. Yes, there needs to be police reform but it doesn’t stop there.
I felt sad and angry and helpless over the past two weeks.
Saddened by the state the country is in, angered by the senseless death of another black person. Feeling helpless because I am not sure what to do to facilitate change.
However, as the week went on the following words came to me.
“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me”. Click to watch/listen
I choose to believe that change is possible.
I need to take 100% responsibility
- For my actions.
- For how I treat myself.
- For how
I allow others to treat me.
- For how I allow people to treat others in my presence.
I need to model the change I want to see in this world.
At this point, I need to model the change I demand to see in this world.
As I see it, this is not just a Black Person’s Problem, it is a Human Race Problem no matter the color of your skin.
I may not be able to change the world right now but hopefully, looking at my beliefs, questioning whether they serve me, and making those changes, will have a positive effect on those that are closest to me and create a ripple effect.
Encouraging a positive change in those closest to them and so on and so on and so on...
A wave starts with one ripple.
I know it can seem overwhelming. You are just one person.
However, every action that demonstrates kindness & compassion towards yourself or another individual can make a difference.
The following is from Dan Miller’s newsletter 48 Days:
“I’m reminded of this inscription on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in Westminster Abbey, dated 1100 A. D. (I used this with permission in No More Dreaded Mondays)
“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits,
I dreamed of changing the world.
As I grew older and wiser I discovered the world would not change –
So I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country,
But it too seemed immovable.
As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt,
I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me,
But alas, they would have none of it.
And now I realize as I lie on my deathbed, if I had only changed myself first,
Then by example, I might have changed my family,
From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country,
And who knows, I might have even changed the world.”
If you would like to do something that feels more
tangible here are some resources that were shared with me:
Start your own ripple. Be part of the change.
Stay well!
~Nancy
Wish it. Dream it. Do it!
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Nancy Smith
Vibrant You Coaching
"Faith, Focus, Finish"
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