Its Not My Job to Free Tibet

I hate saying that. It feels so very wrong. It's not that I wouldn't like to help them. It's not that I am not appalled at what is happening over there. I have been wrestling with my guilty feelings lately. What have I done to make the world a better place? I started by taking inventory of the areas that I'd love to 'fix'. My to-do list looks like this:

Free Tibet

Heal the hole in the ozone layer

Cure Cancer

Save the endangered species

Overhaul the public school system

Raise my own kids

Defend the gays and lesbians

Teach people how to be happy

Solve world hunger

Find loving homes for the orphans

Save the rainforest

Rid the planet of pollution

Implement a clean economical fuel system

Design a quality inexpensive health care system

End divorces and broken homes

Clean out the political system

Create world peace

Find Atlantis and solve the mystery of the pyramids

Scientifically prove somebody's religion is true

Psychologically heal the inmates who want it

End all superficial fakeness

Save the children

Stop racism

Bring an end to lethargy

Stop terrorism

Save the coral reefs

Change America's focus from being 'politically correct' to becoming 'spiritually correct' and I'm not talking about religion

It all gets a bit overwhelming. How can I ever accomplish all of these things in my lifetime? Even if I delegate certain areas to my kids, and make them take a blood oath that they will force my grandkids to carry on with the work on this list until it is finished, I cannot possible hope to solve all of the world's problems. Then I got to thinking about getting up on my soapbox and preaching to everyone that they need to come help me. There is just so much that needs done and you and I both know that my list is not even complete. I would be lucky if I can do one of those things really well during my lifetime.

I had to sit and really think about my own resources, the natural gifts I was born with, and what amount of time I want to commit to doing good deeds. I had to analyze the list and what it would really take to accomplish each of those things. What I came to realize is that there are some that I am called to do, some that I just want to do, and still others that I secretly wish someone else would do. That's not a bad thing, it is what it is. I may really want to cure cancer and other diseases, but I know that deep down I don't have any resources, skills, training, or education to apply to the problem. It's really not my job. All I can do is to support those who are meant to do that work. If I had the money, I'd dump a fortune into their pockets to make sure they had all of the tools they needed. But I don't have it to give, not yet anyway.

What if I do a little bit for each and every one? They say, "Every little bit counts!" You know if all I was giving was my money, then I'd say yes. Donate money to all of those causes. But, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about actually rolling up my sleeves and getting to work helping make the world a better place. I personally cannot fly all over the planet adding just a touch of my energy here and there. To truly create the huge changes needed to fix those problems, I would have to really give my undivided attention and focus. One hundred people giving a moment of their time is not as effective and powerful as just two or three people giving it all of their time and focus. If I am going to make a difference, then I will have to narrow the list down.

One by one, I had to scratch off the list those things that I personally could not do. That's not to say that I won't someday be able to help finance them. For now, I have to look at what I can actually roll my sleeves up and do with my own two hands. What are my talents best used for? What is my job? I picked from the list those things that were truly deeply mine. They are all areas that I also happen to feel a personal calling to be involved in. Everything else, I have to let go and trust that someone else will recognize that they have the talents and resources to become part of the solutions. I have to trust that whoever is meant to take on those jobs will feel a calling deep in their soul and that they'll heed that calling.

Another hard part for me is not knowing the divine plan. When bad things happen, we can sort of take comfort in knowing that there must be some divine reason. Somehow the challenges and dramas of life always lead to enlightenment, joy, new self esteem, or some other cosmic gift. Some things are meant to be. Some things are not meant to be. So, when I take that deep breath and trust that someone else is going to pick up that particular problem and give their life to solving it, I have to also make peace with the idea that it may not happen the way I would like to see it happen, or along the timeline that I'd like to see it happen. Who will free Tibet while I'm busy working on fixing these other things? Will they be saved in a timely manner? Will our government dive in to save them the way that they felt called to save other people? I can only pray that someone else picks up the baton because I cannot. Is it your job? Will you free Tibet?

Copyright 2004, Skye Thomas, Tomorrow's Edge

About The Author

Skye Thomas began writing books and articles with an everyday practical approach to life in 1999 after twenty years of studying spirituality, metaphysics, astrology, personal growth, motivation, and parenting. After years of high heels and business clothes, she is currently enjoying working from home in her pajamas. Go to www.TomorrowsEdge.net to read more of her articles and to get a free preview of one of her books.

Skye@TomorrowsEdge.net

Related News

The Palin family is truly inspirational - Chicago Daily Herald The Palin family is truly inspirational Chicago Daily Herald, IL -16 hours ago ... whether she can do it all but rather an interview which focuses on the strategic plan this couple has crafted for their family. A truly inspirational story. Pan Pacific HIV conference 'eye-opening and inspirational' - Gay NZ Pan Pacific HIV conference 'eye-opening and inspirational' Gay NZ, New Zealand -Sep 5, 2008 "The stories we have heard have been both eye-opening and inspirational. The Pan Pacific 2008 HIV Conference has given us all new strength in our fight ... Bon Appetit magazine will award the most inspirational ... - PR-CANADA.net (press release) Bon Appetit magazine will award the most inspirational... PR-CANADA.net (press release), Montenegro -9 hours ago Men in the Los Angeles area who suffer from the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate now have the option of out-patient, in-office treatment to ... What's your favorite inspirational story in baseball (or sports)? - Baltimore Sun What's your favorite inspirational story in baseball (or sports)? Baltimore Sun, United States -Sep 5, 2008 Daily Think Special: What’s your favorite example of an inspirational tale in baseball? How about in sports in general? Ty Pennington is inspirational - Akron Beacon Journal Ty Pennington is inspirational Akron Beacon Journal, OH -Sep 5, 2008 Ty Pennington titled his new book Good Design Can Change Your Life. And he should know. For five years, Pennington has been host of Extreme Makeover: Home ... Mother, daughter unite to organize inspirational conferences - Arizona Republic Mother, daughter unite to organize inspirational conferences Arizona Republic, AZ -Sep 5, 2008 by Sonja Haller - Sept. 6, 2008 12:00 AM Somehow, Liz Dawn's mother knew an earthquake was coming. She urged her daughter to leave Los Angeles and return to ... Proactive, aggressive and inspirational - Hindu Hindu Proactive, aggressive and inspirational Hindu, India -Sep 4, 2008 He is proactive and aggressive, inspirational and calm. And he delivers under pressure. The wicketkeeper-batsman has grown and evolved. ... Gill Astarita – ‘dynamic, inspirational, passionate’ - Professional Fundraising Professional Fundraising Gill Astarita – ‘dynamic, inspirational, passionate’ Professional Fundraising, UK -Sep 5, 2008 With the death of Gill Astarita, the voluntary sector has lost one of its most dynamic and inspirational fundraisers and leaders. ... Sector mourns Gill AstaritaProfessional Fundraising all 2 news articles Palin is inspirational leader - Times-Journal Palin is inspirational leader Times-Journal, AL -Sep 5, 2008 By Kelly Townsend Arizona Sen. John McCain announced the governor of Alaska would be his running mate on the Republican ticket, and it left many searching ... An Inspirational Success - Long Beach Post Sports An Inspirational Success Long Beach Post Sports, CA -Sep 6, 2008 In May, the class of 2007 graduated and this inspirational moment calls for days full of celebrations which is exactly what many of my peers did these past ...