We all do it to some degree. Sometimes it's a fair assessment, and sometimes it's not. If we're going to judge ourselves, let's be fair about it.
Koan, I completely agree with what Jives has said (wonderfully put, as well!). I'd add that you are also raising a daughter - and from what I know of you, I'd feel pretty safe in assuming that you are raising her to be aware, decent, kind, responsible, and loving...much like yourself. The "ripple" (to quote Jives) that extends from raising children can never be measured. I consider it to be the finest thing we will ever do, with the most positive impact. Clearly, that is our first priority.
In the small amount of time that is left between working and keeping a family together, it is possible to create or inspire change. Koan, many have mentioned your writings. Do you have anything published? You might want to seriously consider that. Your gift is in creation, in touching people in all thier best spots, and this is no small thing. A person must be inspired to act. I'd call that step 1.
Other people have other talents. Some can bring information to the table - as unbiased as we humans can be. Others can problem solve, kicking ideas around to remove the obstacles. Others motivate and keep the goal very clear, while yet others volunteer their time and efforts to acomplish a specific thing. These would be steps 2 through whatever.
The thing to remember is that it wouldn't happen without step 1.
Peg, when you posted about your son, your fury leapt through the page. Feisty people are necessary as well.
You are the kind of person that keeps everyone bound to the goal, you motivate. In your case, you'll really need to think about your goal. Do you want the Chief of Police outta there? Because that's a daunting and potentially dangerous task if he is crooked. Or do you want to make sure that the citizens have a say in what cases are pursued, and what is dropped? There are citizen watch groups that report on police activity. I tend to shy away from them myself because the established ones are looking for police brutality only. They are not looking for ways for citizens and police to work together, whcih turns me off. We can talk about this in depth, if you like, but the point is you are not helpless and you can create change without endangering yourself.
But if you've heard the Chief of Police threaten someone else firsthand and can prove it....then maybe you should talk at length with LadyCop about it. See what your options are.
Long rambling post, as usual...but my particular talent in this area is to unite people, create contacts and blended groups, and to offer workable solutions to existing problems. That's probably immodest to say so, but there ya go. LOL
The question was asked, what do each of us do, if anything, to foster positive change? In my housewife days, the kids and I did lots of community work. Any "grunt work" that we could do together, we did. Later I taught free classes on basic homemaking stuff designed to make life a little easier and a little less lonely for us stay at home moms. I was asked to offer basic classes to females in prison as well, but my exH was very against it. Sadly, I didn't do it. I started a couple of programs as well. One was to unite women in various church groups to adopt old folks homes. About 2 years ago, I heard that this program was still running and doing well.
What do I do today? Very little, unfortunately. Between full time work and full time school, I've little time to myself. I take on easy things that don't depend on me, like walking the greyhounds at the race kennels or offering ideas of charities we can adopt through my job. I have a habit of seeing a need in one place, and an excess in another place...and I stick them together. I had been working with a few activist groups to eliminate a particular law that I HATE, but we lost twice, and I haven't had the heart/time to research it and try to fix the issue so we can win.
I prefer community groups to political groups, but that's just my preference. Fact is, if you want to promote change, even addressing envelopes is a needed chore you can easily take on. Of course, you'll be amazed by how quickly you can get absorbed into doing more and more...so if you've a mind to do this sort of thing, please keep Life Balance uppermost in your heart. I strongly recommend doing things that includes your children. I can't stress enough how important that is. My son thinks that community work is a natural part of life, and that helping people when you can is the norm. I had no idea he'd get that from my behavior, but he did. Major kudos to him!
And finally, the question was asked how do people who are active in change feel about those who are not? Naturally, I feel a bit hypocritical placing myself in the first category at this time in my life, but we'll deal with my insecurities later, LOL. In a word, a very honest word: frustrated. I see so much potential in many people, and I see where their strengths are needed. I don't know how to intentionally inspire people to take that first step. I wish I did.
I've a friend who was feeling very lost, lonely, and unsatisfied with her life. She talked with me about it, and my off-the-cuff reply was to do volunteer work with animals, but NOT with abused animals. Gawd, I'm so bad! Well, a few months later, she came to tell me that she had volunteered with a dog rescue group, had adopted one dog herself (she now has 3), and that she felt so good about her life. She puts in maybe 4 hours a week. But it's been life-altering for her. She's met a new circle of friends that share her passion, she has a direction now that allows her to put her work stress in the proper perspective, and she feels very good about what she's accomplishing.
I guess that what is so hard for me...I know that the effect on the individual is profound. But you can't just tell a person that, they must experience it for themselves.
So this is my advice, my plea even...Think about what you love, and find a place for yourself within it. Love kids? Help set up an good after-school child care program or create avenues of funding that is desperately needed. Love sports? Coach kids, they are so much fun and it helps to keep them out of bad places. Love animals? Volunteers are always needed. Love gardening? Create a community garden and give the proceeds to local charities. Love clothes? Organize a clothing drive for low-income people who need quality suits to re-enter the work force or need warm coats for colder weather.
And if you don't think that's enough to promote change, you're wrong. It leads again to Jives post about inspiring people, showing them hope and faith in themselves, and creating good feelings among people.
Whew! Are we all exhausted yet? I'm sorry for the length, but this is one area I do feel passionately about.
