I Must Confess

I am feeling discouraged.

My life's mission has been to make a positive difference in the world. And I believe that, for the most part, I have lived that way.

But lately I find the behaviors of so many people to be overwhelmingly negative. And I'm discouraged. Last month we saw the movie Hidden Figures. It depicted the way whites in our nation treated blacks for generations. The disrespect, violence, discrimination, oppression of an entire race of human beings continues even today. While it might not be as openly hostile as it may have been a hundred years ago, it still exists. Why?

And then this past week we watched the nine hours of a program on television about the struggle of LGBT people in our nation, When We Rise. It exposed the same kind of disrespect, violence, discrimination, and oppression that was directed toward blacks being directed toward LGBT people. While that too may be somewhat better, that oppression continues. Again, why?

We are all of the same species, yet we treat each other so terribly. People seem so ready to hate and hurt those who are not like themselves. The nation has become more divided rather than less. Violence against Jews, Muslims, gays, transgender persons continues to happen more frequently. Hate is visible everywhere. What will it take for us all to realize that we are more alike than we are different? And that simply being different in some respect does not mean we must fear or hate each other.

I find it overwhelming at times. And it is most discouraging for me. When I consider what little I can do in the face of so much negativity I see my efforts falling way short.

I started this blog with the hope that I could encourage others to join me in making the world a better place for us all. And yet I have no sense that anyone is reading my posts, as I get no feedback. I want to know if the blog is making any kind of difference for anyone but me.

I use it to keep my focus on a better world. I'm just not sure if that is enough of a reason to continue posting.

If you are reading this, and/or other of my posts, I would greatly appreciate your feedback.