making a difference

Heaven under our feet.

Posted on by Shari Swanson

What do you think heaven looks like? Certainly, if we can see there, it is a place of great beauty and marvelous complexity where we marvel at God’s creation. If we can hear there, music that stirs the soul must be the score. And so on through our senses

But what if we are not corporeal in heaven and don’t have senses per se? What then? Perhaps it is a place of harmony, of communion, with everyone different but united in common purpose.

These are good things, yes? Appreciating beauty in God’s creation, enjoying music that stirs the soul, being so present in our bodies that we marvel at its systems? And, of course, communion, harmony, peace? These are good things.

Perhaps, today, we can take time to bring a bit of heaven to earth. Pause to admire the beauty around us, savor, marvel, be astonished. And then with our senses full and renewed, have courage to bring peace and harmony to our day.

Saving love

Posted on by Shari Swanson

Sometimes it’s easy to respond in love. People are kind; you’re kind in return. Someone is generous to you; you pay it forward to someone else.

But sometimes it isn’t easy at all. Sometimes it feels like the world is on fire, and everyone is rushing around thinking only of saving themselves. You feel vulnerable, exposed, in danger. You are on emotional high alert, alarms clanging. What then?

It is in these times, that any shows of love shine like light in darkness. Focusing on expressing your love gives the people you care about safe harbor. Focusing on being gentle with the people around you can calm the tide.

Let love blossom.

Posted on by Shari Swanson

osho

If you look for thorns, you’ll see thorns. If you look for love, you’ll see it all around you. And if you look for opportunities to make a difference, to shower people with love, and to take a stand for all that is good and right in the world, those opportunities will be there.

What opportunities do you see in the day ahead?

Be kind.

Posted on by Shari Swanson

bekind

In a world of senseless violence and hate, you can make a difference.

Be kind.

In a world grieving, you can make a difference.

Be loving.

In a world angry and looking for someone to blame, you can make a difference.

Be gentle.

 

Who’s your neighbor?

Posted on by Shari Swanson

neighbor

What would the world look like if we were to actively do the things Jesus taught us: Turning the other cheek? Loving our neighbor as ourself? Loving and praying for our enemies? Welcoming the children? Feeding the poor? And so on.

To the degree that imagined reality is at odds with what we are seeing, that is where we are called to act, think, and behave differently, to close that gap.

Yes, we do not need to meet violence with violence. Yes, the whole world is made up of our neighbors, including those who don’t think and look like us. Yes, we must show compassion and concern for our enemies, love and protect our children, and use our resources to help the big picture. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Imagine what a world that would be!

What difference can you make?

Posted on by Shari Swanson

streetsweeper

Are you making a difference in other people’s lives? Sometimes we feel that our lives, jobs, gifts, opportunities are too small to make a big difference. But consider the amazing difference made by this school bus driver who crocheted a personalized toy for each of her kids.

We all can make a difference. We don’t need tons of money or an impressive job or skill.

We just need caring hearts.

What’s your problem?

Posted on by Shari Swanson

problem

Who are your heroes? Were they people who stuck their necks out on behalf of others, worked to make the world a better place, gave freely and generously of themselves? These kind of heroes make the world a better place because they are in it.

You can be a hero. It doesn’t have to be a huge thing; it can be as small as seeing someone suffering and doing something to help.

The first step, though, is the seeing.

What to do?

Posted on by Shari Swanson

everything

You want to make a difference. You want it to have mattered that you were here. But where to start? It seems like there is so much to do.

One suggestion is to examine your life and consider where you are indispensable. You may be the whole world to someone. Start there.

As you expand your circle of influence, consider your gifts and talents. Is there something you can do that no one else can do? Perhaps you are the boss and have the ability to influence the climate or policies in your workplace. Perhaps you are from a group that needs a spokesperson and you have a gift for advocacy. Perhaps you have some skills or strengths that can be put to use helping others?

How do you pick? Consider your heart– What breaks it or what makes it swell to bursting? Go there. Either way, follow your passion right into your purpose. You can’t do everything, but you can do something. And that something will make a powerful difference.