That Stubborn Thing



I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. -- President Barack Obama

Over the last couple of months, which have perhaps, culminated from the last couple of years or the last decade and more that we've been together, we've been having these conversations with each other -- Byron and I. Not always particularly easy conversations, but necessary if we are to grow together in the ways we've always imaganined. The conversations have to do with purpose, service and duty. With striving to be more giving and forgiving to each other, to our daughter, and to the world at large. With contemplating the larger meaning beyond what serves our little family in this place and time. Stretching ourselves beyond our confort zones and knowing that the tight feeling of being stretched is probably a very necessary one if we are to evolve. Big wonderings. Big ambitions. There are pieces of us that crave to do big things. Big. Great. Things. 

We know this about ourselves: We are blessed and we are earnest. We are hardworking, honest and truthful, mostly. We are bountiful in flaws and mistakes. We try our best to live by the mantra of doing onto others as we have them do onto us. It's simple, but it's hard. And neither one of us wants to merely sit back and watch the wheels go around and around. In some manner, we want our hands to contribute to the momentum. We are ripe to give back and to make our days count.

The role of citizen in our democracy does not end with your vote. America's never been about what can be done for us. It's about what can be done by us together through the hard and frustrating, but necessary work of self-government. That's the principle we were founded on. -- President Barack Obama

We can do this important work in countless small ways each and every day. I can model my enthusiams for a seed sprouting to my young daughter. I can make sure that I always offer a warm smile to the cashier at the grocery store. I can wash and reuse my ziplock bags. I can vow to eat out less and instead nurture my family with the comfort of a home-cooked meal. I can delight in the sounds and scents of autumen. Leaves crunching below my feet coupled with the smokey, spicey aromas of nature's last hurrah before winter. All day, each day, we make little choices that have the power to stack one on top of the other. I want my stack high full of meaningful, helpful, choices so that when my daughter becomes old enough to go forth on her own, her foundation will be so strong and so certain. That etched in her bones and whispered into her soul she'll know decency, acceptance, tolerance, and hardwork. I can only hope that these virtues guide her in her decisions and her choices so that she too has the great opportunity to discover her own way to contribute to this great, big beautiful world.

Afterall, I'm convinced that there's a Miss Rumphius in all of us.  

"That is all very well, little Alice," said her grandfather, "but there is a third thing you must do." 

"What is that?" asked Alice.

"You must do something to make the world more beautiful," said her grandfather. 

 

 

 

Comments

[lissadell]

I'm blown away. Powerful. Thank you.

[Nichole]

Thank you Lissadell. That kind of comment from you means a lot.

[Stephinie]

Oh that Miss Rumphius...... I wish for us all to find a way to bring beauty to this world... to live each day with great love & care in our hearts.
xo~

[amanda (sweetpotatoclaire)]

"All day, each day, we make little choices that have the power to stack one on top of the other. I want my stack high full of meaningful, helpful, choices so that when my daughter becomes old enough to go forth on her own, her foundation will be so strong and so certain."

LOVE that. Beautiful, Nichole~ especially about the small choices gaining power as they stack up together... I often go through my days, the challenging ones in particular, trying SO hard to be mindful and remember that each little positive and good choice I make and thing that I do will amplify as they add up, and will likely be able to transform a challenging day into a wonderful one.

thanks for the reminder.

[ladycordelia]

I've been thinking a lot about this.

I don't mention politics on my blog, but I'm so glad to read this post. I LOVE our president and I have never felt more proud of our country or hopeful as I do today.
XO

P.s. have you seen this
http://my.barackobama.com/Thank-You

[Nichole]

Oh yes, I don't get political very often and this post wasn't intended to be "political'. But I couldn't help but once again feel so inspired listening to his acceptance speech. What a way he has for connecting with people...

Thanks for the link. That was a GOOD one too! :)

[Nichole]

Thank YOU, Amanda. Your words, as well, are always a source of inspiration to me as well.

[Nichole]

Yep...indeed. XO.