Everywhere I look, there is a Facebook post, a tweet, a blog, or a website dedicated to some rant about something being wrong or a problem that needs fixing. If we would only forward an e-mail, write a sternly worded letter or join a march, we will have done our part in making the world a better, safer place. And we make it mean something to join causes that fight against injustice. We make it mean something that we are able to identify “wrongs” and point out where others, even ourselves, have failed. Some go so far as to become expert commentators on others who are actually taking action; providing their insightful and witty criticisms. They pick apart what others do and how they do it, and pride themselves on finding the flaws in every plan.
I sat one day pondering all of this, and I started to think about the difference between those who take positive action and those who criticize. It occurred to me that those who take action actually have a vision. They desire change and take action to make that vision a reality. They choose to focus on what they WANT-not what they DON’T WANT. They have little time to talk about what’s “wrong” because they are busy doing what’s “right.” And those who criticize? If they were richer or had more time or more power or more access, they would be better positioned to do the “right” thing. They have convinced themselves that they are powerless, so they are content to sit on the sidelines judging others while they applaud themselves for being brilliant enough to assess what needs to be done.
But, what would it look like if instead of playing the critic, we all chose to create a vision for what we want and focused only on that? Too idealistic, some would say. They might argue that there are things that are going wrong in the world, and that we should point them out and take a stand against them if we wish to see positive change. But, something tells me that the real magic is in being able to see our world and our lives as we want them to be; and in taking a stand for that which would bring to us, and others, the most joy.
I have learned that it is far too easy to be a detractor and a naysayer; a critic and a judge. The hard work is in creating a vision, holding to that vision, and deliberately choosing to be in action in spite of what our “reality” tells us about the circumstances that we find ourselves in.
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