What You Believe Can Change the World.

When I stepped outside this morning to walk the dog I was faced with weather conditions that immediately let me know that today was not going to be a day when I could take a long walk outside.  The weather and the threatening skies suggested that perhaps today’s walk might more safely be done indoors on the treadmill.  In just a short few days I have been spoiled by the cooler temperatures which have allowed me to walk outside enjoying the peace and quiet of the morning.  I have experienced a great sense of calm as I have walked in the early morning enjoying the waterfront near my home, and listening to the world around me.  This is such a different experience for me.  It is quite different from walking with headphones on my ears, enjoying music or listening to the latest audio book.  Being forced back indoors to walk on the treadmill, I employed the distractions we sometimes use to abate the boredom that comes from walking in place.  Like many people that use a treadmill regularly, I turned on the TV and channel surfed looking for something to hold my interest for half an hour.

This morning all of the news shows focused on the devastation in cities in Louisiana and Mississippi.  There were pictures of people being rescued from roof tops as waters surged up to the roof lines of homes.  The broadcasts showed us pictures of vast areas under water and extensive damage that had been done to homes, businesses and recreation areas.  I listened to comparisons to the tsunami that hit Indonesia last year as broadcasters flew helicopters over damaged areas or surveyed the wreckage on rented boats.  There were reports of as many as 100 deaths in Mississippi and other scattered reports of deaths in Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia.  We will certainly mourn the loss of any life as a result of this catastrophe.  

The economic effects of the hurricane will be experienced all across our country as oil refinery production is reduced.  As much as 25% of our refinery production comes from the Gulf region alone.  The President has already agreed to release oil from our strategic reserves in order to alleviate the pressure on gasoline prices which are now predicted to rise perhaps as much as thirty cents above current levels.  I learned all of these things just watching television for about thirty minutes today while I exercised.  

I have found myself at times like this functioning as somewhat of a voyeur.  I can become fixated on the events almost waiting to see more pictures that would shock or horrify me.  I have watched myself focus intently on facts reporting the numbers of deaths, or the dollar estimates of economic damage.  I then carry that information all day and intersperse it into my conversations as I lament the tragedy.  I find myself using sorrowful tones as my way of expressing my grief and concern for those so less fortunate.  I realized today while on my treadmill in my dry, well lit, and air-conditioned home how pious my actions have been.  

First I must acknowledge that despite the death toll and economic damage, hurricane Katrina can not be compared to the tsunami in Indonesia.  We have available to us some of the most sophisticated weather tracking and warning systems in the world.  We were provided warnings many days in advance such that many cities and towns were evacuated sparing us the dramatic loss of life that people in other parts of the world experience daily.  Just in the time that it will take to write this more people will die in the Sudan or other parts of Africa than the total death toll experienced nationally from Katrina.  I can only wonder how many of us have spoken in those hushed tones grieving for the loss of life that occurs daily in other parts of the world.  What will be our reaction today to the loss of life in Baghdad where some 600 people died as a result of a rumor of a suicide bomber on a bridge over the Tigris River?  

When are we going to learn in this country that we are all together in this world?  Today we lost our brothers and sisters in Mississippi, and we lost some in the Baghdad, and we lost even more in the Sudan.  All across the globe there are tragedies, wars, and disasters.  Lives are being lost, economies are suffering, and people are homeless.  You and I read this at computers, in homes and offices with modern conveniences.  Maybe you will read this later in the day while having dinner or take it out on your coffee break while you enjoy an afternoon Latte.  I don’t write this to say that you should feel guilty for the many blessings we experience here in America.  I don’t write this to remind you of how lucky you are that you live in a city far away from the Gulf Coast.  Rather, I write this to remind you to take a moment to be thankful.  It is so easy to complain about things in our day-to-day lives.  I know that I find myself complaining about the weather, or traffic, or an annoying telephone call.  Yet, in the whole scheme of things, we have so very much to be thankful for.  

Being thankful does not necessarily mean that you are somehow better than those less fortunate.  In our spirit of thankfulness or should I say gratitude, we recognize that we are each given so many gifts.  We ought to take the time to acknowledge those gifts.  I am sure that not everything in your life today is fantastic.  Perhaps you work in an oppressive environment or maybe you are struggling to make ends meet financially.  Maybe your marriage is not the best, or someone close to you is not behaving to your liking.  We all have problems and we already spend our fair share of time acknowledging that.  What I am proposing is a transition in your thinking.  Let’s take a few minutes to focus on the wonderful things that are happening in your life.  While you do that, also remember that there are people all around the world that are your brothers and sisters.  Remember that somewhere they are suffering at this moment.  As you express your gratitude remember to also reach out to them.  Make a decision to do one simple act to reduce the suffering of others.  Whatever you can do, do it now.  If all you can do is say a prayer, then take a moment to breathe that prayer.  

I have made a transition in my thinking these days.  I have focused on what I believe.  In that focus I have found greater joy, greater success, and a greater awareness of those around me.  I wanted to share that focus with you so that you too can experience the power of all that is in you.  Let’s all stop watching the world and start being a part of making the world better.  You can begin by making yourself better, and you can begin that by just beginning to believe.