Do and say something… your voice matters
I believe we have a voice for a reason. With that in mind, I keep using mine in places where I think it will matter. I work diligently to formulate messages so I’m heard and understood, but I know that my voice, and yours too, is often drowned out by the chaos and loud chatter that makes the world confusing, unwelcome, and frustrating.
I have discovered that no matter how much I want world peace, an end to poverty, homelessness, hunger, disease, and all the things that negatively plague our society, wanting it is not enough. I must find like-minded individuals and groups to join hands with and make the load bearable.
Years ago I lived in Paris, Tennessee, Home of the World’s Biggest Fish Fry, and its Helping Hand program is something that should be bottled up and spread all over the world.
An auction that involves every neighborhood, neighbors and friends came together to support the community and its organizations. Some of the prices paid for cakes, pies, jellies and jams would be exorbitant on a given day but for this effort, it was an investment in the community. The bidding was fierce and brisk and the thousands of dollars raised by like-minded individuals and groups blessed in big and small ways.
What and how we invest our time, talents, and treasure in is strictly an individual decision but I pray today we will pause, look around, and choose a cause we can be passionate about commit to it so we are part of the solution and not part of the problem. Today we can sit around and discuss what needs to be done or we can get up, speak up, and stand up and work toward a kinder, gentler world for our generations.
The children are hurting in so many ways—perhaps you could consider becoming a foster parent or grandparent. If that’s not your thing, at least volunteer at your neighborhood school (after COVID) to encourage the children and affirm their worth.
Food insecurity is a nice, sanitized way to say families don’t have enough to eat. We can fix this, and we must. Being hungry in a country like ours makes no sense when there is so much waste and/or opportunity to share.
As a volunteer and former Habitat for Humanity board member, every time I visited potential homeowners to assess their need, I knew that I had to fight for them to have a decent home, for an improved credit score, or removal of whatever barriers might hinder their dreams of owning their own home.
Today’s households are very different and that’s a good thing. They come in all shapes and sizes but we must continue to stand up for fair and equitable wages for workers, whether they’re unionized or not. We must keep campaigning for workers to have improved working conditions and hours, and adequate pay and time off so they can care for their families.
One of my favorite proverbs puts it this way: “When we join hands and rock together, we can make waves.” It’s true. We can keep hope alive when the going gets tough. We can lend a helping hand when the chips are down. We can be the bridge over troubled water—you get the picture. Our voices matter.
Let’s form partnerships that challenge systems and engage our neighbors and friends. I pray we will because together we can do so much more than we ever could alone.
Looking for inspiration, empowerment, uplift, straight talk, an encouraging word to brighten your day? You’ve arrived! Meet Dr. Cynthia Ann Bond Hopson, best-selling author, educator, inspirational speaker, sistergirl–she’s all that and more. Now listen to her new podcast, “Three Stores, Two Cotton Gins, One Remarkable Life: The Journey from There To Here,” and meet her favorite family and friends as they share laughter and heartwarming life lessons. Look for it on this page or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
