Making a Difference
October 17, 2005
There are times when I feel like I ought to be writing more about political issues and social problems, trying to offer solutions and commentary or some other kind of tangible, meaningful help or insight. I wonder if I am just too wrapped up in my own little world, writing too much about my life, my experiences and my victories and struggles. Should I be writing more about Katrina? The earthquake in Pakistan? The war in Iraq? Should I be volunteering more, donating more, speaking out more?
I struggle with this, but am soon reminded that my role as an artist and a woman in this world is not as a political activist. I have had my moments – once being a card-carrying member of the National Organization for Women and inspiring my friends to donate to political action committees on behalf of Planned Parenthood – but I have grown to see my role in this world as someone who makes a difference on a much smaller, more intimate scale. Just as I wrote in my previous entry of the importance of every small step one takes towards making a dream real, I have learned to appreciate every small light I shine for someone else, whether that someone else is near or far.
I received an email today from a woman who is celebrating her three year anniversary as a breast cancer survivor. She explained to me that she had always wanted a tattoo, but never knew what to get until she bought one of my journals and decided she wanted the cover illustration – a smiley sun – as her tattoo. She wanted it near her heart, to remind her to "fill her life with passion", as the message on my journal cover said.
I have received this email and countless others from many amazing souls – cancer survivors, cancer victims and their friends, women in drug rehabilitation centers, women wanting to start their own card line, wanting to paint, write, and follow their dreams. These people write to me, and they share their stories, and I am – over and over again – overwhelmed with gratitude. Not only do they take the time to send me very kind words, but they open their hearts and share their visions, and they remind me that we are all connected in such a beautiful way. They thank me for inspiring them, but every single time, without fail, they end up inspiring me.
Not everyone needs to pontificate on all of the world’s woes. I suppose I could use this journal to try to be more "activist" or political, but that is not what this journal is about. Perhaps I am a "creative activist" or a "dream activist", trying to make the world a better place one dream at a time, one very meaningful tattoo at a time. Trying to make my way, just like everyone else, receiving wonderful messages along the way that let me know I am not alone. That none of us are alone. Ever.
"…that’s the day I knew there was this entire life behind things, and…this incredibly benevolent force, that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever." -from "American Beauty"
You make a huge difference, Christine, and on a level that in many ways is so much more important: the level of love. You touch and open hearts and that is where true change begins, in the heart.
I don’t think that we necessarily live in a more threatening and violent world as the media often has us believe. As mankind we do the same thing that we have always done, the only thing that’s different is the means by which we do things and the boundaries we fight over. We still need heros and acitivists to try and right the wrong wherever we can.
You are a thoughtful and empathetic person and I am not surprised that you want to “do more”. I truly believe that the only way that we will ever achieve ‘peace on this earth’ is through understanding, knowledge and compassion. And through acts of loving, kindness and giving. That’s what you do. And that’s where the Internet is such a fantastic medium because you can spread your giving to people across the globe and affect the lives of friends and strangers alike. That sounds pretty large scale to me!
And yes, you are a “creative activist”, definitely.
Take care, Kerstin
Yeah, I’m sure that the impact you have on the world is greater than you can comprehend. Keep up the good work! We all have our own little piece to do.
This wonderful post makes me want to share a quick story …
I was always into this idea of ‘making a difference’ through some major altruistic life work. I dreamed of being someone as selfless and giving as Mother Teresa. I knew I wasn’t doing THAT in my corporate work (… though a good friend pointed out that corporations are really the ‘hospitals’ of today; where people are getting sick), so I left and became a life coach … to help other people realize their dreams.
During a training call led by Thomas Leonard (who is considered by many to be the ‘father’ of coaching), Thomas said, ‘If I hear one more person say they want to make a difference, I’m going to puke!’ He went on to say that all any of us had to do was find what we loved to do, and DO it, and THAT’s how we would each make a difference in the world … not by thinking that we had to go out and ‘save’ the world, or pour all of ourselves into a cause, but by simply doing what we loved and were passionate about. That’s how we would be the pebble in the pond.
I must say, that statement (which totally shocked me and almost insulted me at the time), totally shifted my perspective of how one makes a difference in the world … and you definitely do, Swirly. Rock on.
the way you think makes me happy.
how true how true.
Thank you for this post Swirly. I love when people begin to “own” the good that they are doing, the gifts that they give others. And as you own this, others will follow your lead. And I agree that we can make a difference, one person at a time, one dream at a time. (and I love your story – one tatoo at a time!)
Wow! I was really touched by this-I had to read it twice. In the grand scheme of things art joins people in many interesting and profound ways. It is one of the things I love about being in this really great career, calling or industry-however one wants to call it. Well done Christine. And lovely quote.
I love the phrase you created. Creative activist is a wonderful way to think of yourself. I always struggle my ownself with my lack of activism. I’ve been struggling with how to incorporate it into my work, etc. In my 20′s, I felt more passionate about so many causes. In my 30′s, I just feel jaded and unsure. Your passage has made realize that I’ve had ideas how to break out of this funk.I just have to follow my inner voice. And I can be an active artist.
Two things came to mind reading this post: 1) we often perform tiny acts of activism every day without realizing or talking about them because they’re actions that have simply become a part of our way of being, and 2) “activism” covers a vast area and having others be inspired by your creativity is no less an act of it than anything else. My boyfriend’s father is a pastor, and my boyfriend STILL gets a lot of parental pressure to someday move back to his hometown to take over his Dad’s church. (Never mind that he doesn’t even GO to church!) I always say that he already HAS a ministry…he touches hearts with music. Touching people through art is indeed an act of activism in these United States in 2005.
beautiful photo.
Wow. I am blown away by everyone’s thoughtful and beautiful comments. I have not checked my site or email much this week with my mom visiting, so to find all of this waiting for me after feeling out of the loop all week is a real treasure. THANK YOU.
This whole journal is so great Swirly! I of course was drawn the the entry “Making a Difference”. Your ripple effect is astounding. I am so blessed to have met you and be a Swirly ambassador. You know your words, and work are everywhere areound me. My office, desk at home, on book shelves, even my little note pad. You ARE and artist! And you change the world with your beautiful gift – YOU.