The passages chosen out of Paul Loeb’s book really spoke to me, especially in the current state of the world. I think like most people, I found many parts of this reading that I could easily relate to, and found the author explaining phenomena that I grapple with daily in a very simple way. I related to and deeply understood the example given about Global warming and soda cans: it isn’t enough to recycle our cans because we MUST solve Global Warming right now but we can’t so we might as well not recycle. I get caught in this circular train of thought often, I can’t solve this big issue so what can I do? And then I get so caught up in it I don’t really end up doing anything, or I waste so much time that the opportunity has passed. It is the sense of paralysis he speaks about. He also pulls in the idea of envying selfishness, which I do think about sometimes. As someone who overthinks and worries, I do find myself looking at those who can live so in the dark and wonder how peaceful it must be. It goes back to a question Dr. Bezio asked us at the beginning of class it was something like, “would you rather live a life serving others, or a life with self-driven purpose, not coming from others” (I could not find the original question but it was something like that, and both sides has valid reasons.) Although the reading puts a different spin on the two ideas, I see how both, in their simplest forms, are appealing, living for change, and living content (sort of in a personal bubble?). I live constantly thinking:”what am I doing for others”, overly worried about my friends, I often let that be my driving force, it becomes unhealthy. I do understand the envy he describes when I see people living so oblivious to the world and problems around them, so content with what is immediately in front of them. I think there is a middle ground, being able to not overthink allows one to cultivate change. People can be paralyzed by the overwhelming idea that they need to change the world, so finding a balance might be the healthiest mechanism for change. One small step at a time.

COVID-19 Warning

A beautiful idea shared by the author was when he spoke about his morning moments, the times he has to remember the man who gave him a ride in the snow, the kindest of a stranger, activists from around the world. It reminded me that in the current state of the world, with the disease, and struggle, and death, there are many amazing people doing good things, all the healthcare workers giving their all every day, all the grocery store workers cleaning every cart so we can still get food, and especially the many individuals doing good that is unknown to me. I give gratitude to the seen, and unseen good.

He brings up a truth that I have to remind myself of often: “there is a tendency to think that what we see in the present moment will continue,” our history books are centered around the struggle, the bad, our minds see the current state of the world and see that as regular. “The bad things that happen are repetitions of bad things that have always happened- war racism, maltreatment,” even disease. “The good things that happen are unexpected” This key idea fills me with hope, the good things are change, they are human-driven, and often new, never before imagined. During this time, we should remember this is not our new norm, it is temporary, and maybe we can use this time to change something small. It is crucial that we continue those small actions, living that life of change, no matter how small, because one day it might be something huge, or maybe it will be something small, but huge to someone else. Seen or unseen, good is still good and a step forward.