I’m feeling rather down today. The world is too much with me, and the tragedies facing others, and all the government abuses leave me feeling impotent and helpless. I can contribute to local organizations that are addressing homelessness and other needs in our area, but is that enough to stand against the rapid erosion of our fragile democracy? Is it enough to ensure that my family is safe and secure? What is my role as a citizen? How can I best respond? Take to the streets as the brave folks are doing in Minneapolis?
I reached for my meditational book, One Day at a Time in Alcoholics Anonymous, and opened to two meditations on the importance of detaching. But I don’t want to detach from the evils of our day. I want to find a way to stand against those things I see as abuses of power. But then I am reminded that the principle of detachment is not to stop caring, but when I detach I shift the focus from what the other is doing to myself to make sure that my heart is in the right place and that I am comfortable with the choices I make, and as a result, willing to accept any consequences that may come my way. And there will always be consequences, both positive and negative. I am reminded of the Apostle Paul, who often wrote about both the positive and negative consequences of following Christ. He was well aware that preaching Christ and him crucified was not a popular message, but he preached it anyway. He also focused on the Risen Christ as a reminder to his followers that we don’t just live for our own sakes, but for the sake of others, and that there is no way we can anticipate how our lives and actions may impact the future.
I just finished another book based on the true-life heroines of WWII, this time of Cilka Klein (Cilka’s Journey), who not only survived the Nazi death camps but was then sent to a work camp in Siberia. Even in those situations, she found ways to improve the lives of those around her, even when she was punished for doing so.
I’m not advocating that we put ourselves out there recklessly, but I am advocating that we prepare for possible negative consequences when we choose to say “no” to evil when we see it. And we do so by learning to detach from the things we cannot change and focus on the things we can.
It is all too easy to waste our time and energy worrying about things outside of our control, but there are plenty of ways we can be a positive influence on those around us. I am reminded that all politics are local, and we all can have some influence locally.