Naïveté

It’s hard to think straight sometimes.  (Or most of the time?) So many things are being said at the same time.  Advice, opinion, ideas, thoughts, arguments.  There is never a lack of words and voices constantly swimming from one source or another directly into the ears, mind and heart. Opinions are formed and conclusions drawn and hearts are closed based on minimal information. Sometimes its all just too much.

I used to be a news junkie.  I was always up to date on all the latest happenings.  I wanted to be informed, because that felt like the responsible thing to do.  From politics to social awareness, I wanted to know and be in the know about what was happening because, I was pretty certain I could change the world.

(Have a mentioned that I score quite high on the naïveté scale on personality tests?) 

Over the last several years we have very consciously kept the news available in our home to a minimum.  Our days used to begin with all the national headlines read in a perfect tone by perfect-haired anchors from fast moving teleprompters.  Now, mornings are filled with a symphony of laughter, whining, play fighting (and a few real ones) and chaos.  And our nightly news has been replaced with the sounds of Jessie or Dog with a Blog.  Perhaps we are being irresponsible parents by not allowing our kids to be up to date on the latest world happenings and extending my very obvious “naivete” gene.  It is what it is and they can discuss that with their therapist years down the road. (Kidding.) 

This week, though, I’ve found myself stealing away to read various new articles, take in random reports, and swallow the realities that are unfolding around the world.  From Bill Cosby to Ferguson to Gruber . . it all feels so. . . complicated.

When did it all get so complicated?

I went into youth ministry after college because I thought I could change the world. (Naïveté?)  Then, I became a therapist because I was going to change the world. (Naïveté ?)  Now, I pick up a camera (which changed me) and I wonder. . . will the world change?

I’ve thought a lot about “changing the world” this week.  I’ve thought about what it means and what it doesn’t mean.  I used to think that changing the world was “out there”.  It used to be somewhere else, far away.  Somehow, though, as I’ve thought about changing the world I’m always led back to one single thought.

My Dad.

I am blessed to have a dad who walks with integrity.  He says what he means and means what he says.  He is who he is and while he’s not perfect (sorry, Dad) he is kind, consistent, and honorable. Chad’s parent are exactly the same.  Consistent, kind, and honorable.  Chad and I are so blessed to have parents who did and do walk with integrity.

I think that is world changing.  Or, at least, it changed our worlds.

And maybe that’s just it.  I used to think that changing the world was big and grand and out there.  Suddenly, I realize that my sphere of influence is small.  It’s small, but it’s mighty.

I struggle to remember this when the voices are so loud.  When the world doesn’t look as pretty as I’d like.  When the noise in my head leads to doubt and skepticism.  When America’s Dad disappoints and violence is met with more violence everything feels so heavy.

That’s when I must quiet my mind.  When I lean down and listen to the whispers in my soul that reverberate quite loudly. . .

Keep it simple.

I admit, this is probably taking one giant step deeper into my naïveté, but I believe it.  I believe that within my small circle including our little ones, I can do my part to change the world. I can teach love and kindness and acceptance and faith and joy and peace by modeling it, as best I can.  And maybe, just maybe, they will grab onto it.

 

And if they grab on to it, then they will spread it, and on and on and on. . .

I could very well be over-simplifying things.  Many can argue that there is so much more and that it is far more complicated than I’m making it.  Maybe it is.  But today, on the eve of Thanksgiving, I feel hope at the thought of changing the world.  Even if it’s only my little world.

I think it begins right here (or there) right where I am (or you are) by celebrating the little things. . .

Snow Days. . . 

Birthday’s ON Snow Days. . . 

Evening Play. . . 

Big Deep Breaths of Life. . . 

I think it starts just like that.  In simplicity.  

So today, I’m owning my naïveté–loud and proud.  Because, really, that’s all I have.  

There are times when I have no idea what comes next & it’s the thing I’ve come to love most about being alive:  leaving in to hear the invitation of each day & feeling my whole body melt when I say yes, yes, yes. 

-Brian Andreas, Story People

Wishing each of you a beautiful (world changing) Thanksgiving.