The Best Thing I Did Lately
I am not much of a joiner.
I never have been, really. I was not the kid who joined a lot of clubs in school. I was part of one or two things that were important to me.
In general, I prefer to lend my support to causes and activities from behind the scenes or on the sidelines. It’s just part of my personality. So the fact that I joined the 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion project is actually out of character for me.
For whatever reason, though, it just felt like the right thing to do.
And now, several weeks later, I can tell you it is one of the best things I’ve chosen to do. The efforts of the group as a whole and of the individuals who comprise it are making a difference. However slight it may be, we are making a difference for the world around us and for ourselves.
In his Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin details his attempt at achieving moral perfection. Ultimately, he comes to the realization that while he has not achieved perfection, he is, at least, a work in progress and has found himself a better man for his efforts.
Being part of 1000Speak has helped me to consider situations carefully. It has helped me to think before I react. It has helped me to make choices – some of them hard but necessary ones – that allow me to be more compassionate with the people and the world around me, but also with myself.
Am I perfect? Not by a long shot.
But I am better for my efforts.
~~~~~
This month, 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion continues to work toward a better world with a particular focus on ‘Building from Bullying,’ as well as continuing to speak on compassion in general.
We will be hosting our second link-up on March 20th. Join us. Write a post relevant to this month’s focus and add it to the linkie on the day. You can do that right here via this site.
In the meantime, help us spread the word and find another 1000 Voices to help restore balance to the Blogosphere and the world by speaking out positively.
Here’s how to get involved:
Join 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion on Facebook
Visit the 1000Speak blog
Follow @1000Speak on Twitter
Use the #1000Speak hashtag across social media.
Help us BUILD The Village.
Love this? Share the love and tell someone!
20 Comments
Comments are closed.
I love this Lisa. I never tire of reading the positive effects people are experiencing from being part of 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion. And I cannot begin to express all it’s done for me. It’s so wonderful that so many of us are thinking about compassion more than we did, and about our actions. Our actions might be small, but they do matter.
Thanks for this post!
Thanks, Yvonne. I think the whole thing is pretty amazing. The effects on me as a person, the connections I’ve made with others, and the list goes on.
Small is good. It only takes one small stone to cause waves at the water’s edge.
I’m SO GLAD this got you to join in. I’ve really enjoyed having you around on Facebook. If nothing else, THAT has been a big deal for me 🙂
But yes – 1000Speak has changed me in a LOT of ways. I hope they continue. I feel like I am becoming more the person I am meant to be.
Yes, it’s been wonderful. And entertaining, too! 😀
I think 1000Speak is wonderful in a lot of ways. I like your sentiment about becoming more of who you’re meant to be – that is a really good way to put it.
I will be participating in Building on Bullying. Your post is very inspirational and informational. The ability to open up and look at things in different ways can be life-changing.
That’s great, Val! And thanks. So true.
AW!!! I am just so so glad you have had such an amazing experience with this INCREDIBLE campaign Lisa!! I’m glad that it *pushed* you to get on FB!!! And twitter!!! (I think you weren’t before, right?)
It’s SO awesome connecting with you so much more through those new bridges of communication!! LOVE it. And love this mission, this beautiful wonderful purpose. <3
Correct, Chris. I was not on any social media prior to joining with 1000Speak. Lizzi and Sarah were campaigning, but it was the 1000Speak efforts that pushed me over the edge. 🙂
And yes, I love all of that, too. It’s been quite a great experience and I love the interaction with everyone.
I am so happy to read here about the positive impact 1000Speak has had on you Lisa. It has also affected me. Who would have thought? We are indeed works in progress.
I’m happy to know it’s impacted you as well, Kelly. A work in progress is not a bad thing to be!
Yikes. Not sure if my previous comment is posted. Wrote one and can’t see it so I’ll say it again. I’m delighted that you have been impacted in such a positive way by 1000Speak. I’ve changed too. It has made me focus in on the truth that I am a work in progress. We both are!
You were trapped in my spam! I like what you said so much I’m leaving them both up!
Delighted is a great word for it, Kelly – that’s exactly the right way to describe it. So glad you’re on board!
Sometimes, a cause comes along and it feels naturally to join in, because it’s already part of who you are. You write and friend with compassion, so this group was a natural fit for you.
Thanks, Eli. 🙂 I don’t think I would have described myself that way, or seen this as something that was already part of me. But I guess that’s where my original post came from – being more compassionate with ourselves and realizing we have good within us and that good gives us great potential.
So thanks. Really. That made my day.
I am shy and was never much of a joiner either. It can be lonely and isolating.
I also am suspicious of causes. I hesitate to join anything if it doesn’t feel authentically real to me.
Something about this just felt right. It is exactly what I wanted to accomplish when I started blogging. My blog was always about compassion, it was its underlying theme anyway, so this just came along at the perfect moment.
Glad to hear others are feeling the same way. Glad it has helped you.
🙂
Look forward to reading yours and all the other posts on bullying next week.
Kerry, I am really glad to know that! I’m working on a piece that will be shared over at Hasty Words sometime this month, as well as my piece for March 20th. I’m looking forward to seeing what the group does this month!
Looking forward to visiting your blog, too!
1000 Speak has been so uplifting and such a great COMMUNITY of compassionate folks! I’m glad you joined and glad I joined. It’s been great connecting with you further through this project. I’m struggling a little with my angle for March’s post but it’s a challenge I gladly accept.
Jen, I have been struggling a bit with mine for March, too. I think it finally came to me, though. Don’t worry – the words will come.
I so wish I could reblog this article to mine. It is great.
Wow, thanks, Ronovan! I don’t understand the reblog thing at all. But I’m excited that you’d like to!