Day 26 - Cynicism is Bullsh!t

I think the title says it all. I've been super guilty of being a cynical person, but I'm understanding more and more that every cynical remark, every eye-rolling moment, every witty criticism of "society" does nothing at best, and proves that I like being better than everyone else more than doing something about problems at worst.

I heard Conan say on his last Tonight Show appearance that cynicism was useless. I loved it, but I was too arrogant to realize he was talking to people like me.... people who like writing about how sorry society is, how stupid everything is, how apathetic people are. But pointing out problems isn't enough. How we go about seeing the world and shining a light on the ugly parts is just as important as the pursuit of the "truth." Take the Invisible Children movement. These people witnessed unspeakable atrocity in Uganda, but it is concretely related to their love and community with people. People that have names, faces, and identities. They speak of the child soldier issue not as evidence that the world is stupid, but as something they are personally responsible for addressing.

The world is not about us, but each one of us is responsible to and for the world we see. We each have a hand in it, and at the very least, we have to take ownership of making a difference in the relationships we find ourselves with, both with individuals and with our community at large. It's difficult, and it takes a lot of effort. I have little to no room to speak, but I'm praying and meditating on how I can make a difference, and I think I'm seeing ways I can orient my gifts towards making a real difference for others. I hope that is the case, and I hope you will pray for me.

I need to make the issues I see a problem with personal. They need "skin." If I think poverty is a problem, I need to spend time amongst poverty. I get this, but I don't always GET this. I think about having the right position towards poverty issues without being involved directly in them. I don't have a personal stake in the issues I care about. I haven't hitched my hopes to those I supposedly care the most about. That needs to change, and once again, I hope you will pray for me.

It's not enough to be critical, to have the right opinion about something. You have to have a stake in the race. There has to be risk. Commitment. Faith. Love (and not the idea kind, but the verb kind.)

Stats:

Dissertation: considered, designed in my head, needs legs

Running: Ran yesterday, hah!

Money: spend 4.80 on breakfast...I'm getting pretty good.