I cannot do all the good that the world needs. But the world needs all the good that I can do.
~Jana Stanfield

Sometimes I take it very personally when others don’t share my values.

I can feel so strongly about what I think is right and wrong, that I feel like I’ve been disempowered when I see injustice in the world.  I feel personally attacked when another human does something blatantly unethical and gets away with it.  I want so much for the world to be a better place, I feel violated and trampled by those pursuing self-interest over world interest.  I become depressed and immobilized by hopelessness.

Eventually, I realize I’m not helping anything this way, so I take a step back, a deep breath, and broaden my vision.

I do work hard to be a good person who leaves the world better than she found it… yet, I have to admit that I don’t have a complete wrap on righteousness.  In fact, none of us do, we’re all still figuring it out as we go along.  It’s okay that I have more to learn — I’m good as I am, and I’ll spend my life learning to be better.  I can forgive all of us for having more to learn… that is what the progression of human social evolution is all about.

You are good.  No matter what other people say or do.  The world needs your goodness.

Nothing that others do is personal and no one can negate your contribution to humanity.  Our individual actions are only about our personal evolution.  Everyone is worried about security and survival and doing the best they know how given their history of experience.  Might doesn’t actually make right, even when it looks like the “mighty” are “winning”.

You are always becoming better.  This is your task, no matter what other people say or do.

Regardless of how others behave, if you evolve your values, you evolve humanity.  Evolution is a long game and we each can only do our own part, no one else’s.  If others put blocks in your path, follow your value down another road.  The possible roads are endless and the world is full of people who are working in so many ways to progress the evolution of humanity. Join the heroes pushing forward and leave everyone else to their own life lessons.

Those of us who are starting to see it will continue on together, recognizing our inherent goodness and always working to improve ourselves; that is how we will make the world a better place.