When Life Gives You Lemons, Work With Them!

A very good friend of mine and I enjoy hiking mountains here in Phoenix. As expected, the view we have from the peaks is beautiful and enjoyable. Amidst the breathtaking scenery we muse about our mountain-top experience. The city and the people look so tiny from where we sit, and it makes us realize just how small we really are. The view gives us a better look at the "bigger picture" of the city and the places that we call our community. We can see just how little we actually are in the grand scheme of things. And as Loeb explains, our single voices or efforts may not amount to much or anything. From my mountain vantage point, I try to imagine all the cars that I see on the highway driving to the same place. I imagine that there is a huge accident or tragedy somewhere in the city. One person may not be able to do much to help, but If ALL those cars and people would converge on the scene to help in unison, then the problem would be alleviated easily and quickly.

The same concept described in my "wishful thinking scenario" should be applied to making a difference in any capacity. People of all walks and backgrounds and beliefs can band together. Although it may be hard to overcome cosmetic and frivolous differences, the chance to make change for the better should win alliance. This may require stepping out of comfort zones. Just as turtles cannot move when safely shut up in their protective shell, we cannot make change from the safety of our personal lives. We can only make progress if we risk exposure to the unknown and unsure aspects that accompany involvement.

As the saying goes, "An enemy of my enemy is a friend". Is it too much to ask people to put aside their quarrels in order to preserve and better the future of generations to come? I know it is hard for me, especially the aspect of risking rejection. But we (especially I) need to overcome fears like this. Our love for the community and those in it must transcend all fears. That is when we can make a difference. The greatest change-making gift we posses, the gift of combined compassion, is sitting at our fingertips waiting to be reached. Will we reach out and take hold of each other? Time will tell...or we can write that part of the story ourselves!