The Power of Vision

                           You Can Change the World

"Don't ever underestimate the power of your vision to change the world. Whether that world is your office, your community, an industry or a global movement, you need to have a core belief that what you contribute can fundamentally change the paradigm or way of thinking about problems."
                                   Leroy Hood

I've been called naïve; an idealist who's not in touch with the harsh realities of life. There's a lot of truth to that. I'm not sure why I cling to the belief in the core goodness of humanity in the face of all the terrible killing, and bombing, and indifference that characterizes our world today. But every time I start to waver, something happens that supports my convictions that there is inherent compassion and justice in us. We as a species make progress even if it's by inches and not feet.

Yesterday two things happened that supported my belief in humanity's progress. First the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the rights of all people, regardless of sexual orientation, to marry and benefit from the same guarantees as every other citizens under the law. The constitutional separation between church and state, which has become so cloudy of late, has been upheld. That, in my world view, is a victory for civil and human rights.

Secondly, I went to the birthday party of a total stranger last night and observed how the people in this little village in Costa Rica come together and exemplify community. All races, all levels of ability, all nationalities, all ages joined in celebrating. I held the baby, one of twin boys, of a woman whose name I did not know. She handed him right over believing that the mother in me could be trusted to care for him. I watched daddy's dance with their little girls, and everybody in the room feed wandering children off their plates. Teenaged surfer-boys and girls grooved to the music of sixty year old musicians. And one old demented man was hailed as hearty as anyone else. That's palpable love and respect. Last night there were no barriers between people.

We have to hold on to this core belief in a good world, a changed world--one that is slowly but surely, even though there are back steps and side steps, moving toward equality for all. We can fundamentally change the paradigm if enough of us hold fast to the power of this vision.

                                             In the Spirit,
                                                  Jane