Can I Be Flawed For A Moment?
Written by kellyt: kelly, make a difference 5 Comments
I’m normally late with my posting here.
Recently, I was absent for weeks. I blamed lack of internet access (partly true, but I could have dragged my sorry ass to an internet cafe!).
My girls (and I would give a shout out, but they know who they are) are being patient and caring and waiting for me to get my shit together.
My readers and commenters are slowing down at my own place. And for good reason: they’ve seen the passion drain out of my writing.
And damnit. I’m jealous of all the great things people have going on in their lives. My goal was to write about making a difference and sometimes looking for that difference is hard. Especially when you’re feeling more flawed than authentic because doesn’t ‘authentic’ have a more positive connotation?
So what I’m looking for is your authenticity right now. I want to know where you’re making a difference so I can remember what I’m doing this for.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
The temptation is to talk about resume-worthy tasks. “I volunteered at this-or-that.” “I started an organization to help a certain group or to fix something.”
I truly don’t think that making a difference means newspaper-article-worthy making a difference.
The real change comes about from people living and acting from their most authentic selves.
Tell your truth. Keep yourself together. Provide a safe home (both physically and emotionally) for your family. Do your work to the best of your ability. Be kind. Participate in what you have a passion for.
Let’s not talk about me. Let’s talk about you. I have met you in person twice, once for about 10 minutes in San Jose and once at Erin’s for a couple hours. Yet somehow, just by being yourself and talking and writing openly about race, you have given me so much to think about.
You articulate things that other people are afraid to say and I love that about you. I think you are a great, powerful light because of your openness, your humor, and your beauty (you can get people to listen to things that they wouldn’t otherwise listen to – just because they are coming out of the mouth of a beautiful woman.)
You do difficult work every day and don’t get enough appreciation. When I look back at people from my education who made the biggest difference, they were the ones I complained the most about, because the things they asked me to do were difficult. Try to remember that. They may complain now, but hopefully they will look back and be thankful for your toughness.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Seriously? The things you do every day make my “Last week a Starbucks employee admired my headband, so I reached into my knitting bag and gave her my extra one” seem really piddly.
In other words, I second Suebob!
And I raise my glass to you.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I got an armload of reusable grocery bags and I keep them in my trunk and wag them into the store with me every time I go. It’s a really small thing but I feel good about bringing lass plastic into my life.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Nothing awe-inspiring. I only try to tell the truth everyday, even if it makes me uncomfortable.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:02 am
I challenge myself and my students every chance I get. I don’t let the people I care about skate by without trying. I hope to make myself a better person and to provide opportunity to others to do the same.
I feel as though we are old friends and I want you to know that you are making the most difference in someone’s life when it feels like you are doing it all wrong. Your students/kids/loved ones will thank you. I thank you. You inspire me and many many others. What more of a difference can you ask for?
Love ya,