SMALL WAYS TO SHAPE THE WORLD
By
Jackie O’Donnell
For Gwyneth and the next generation of beautiful butterflies
Small Ways to Shape the World
Copyright © 2009 by Jackie O’Donnell
All rights reserved
Smashwords Edition 1.0, October 2009
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
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“Do small things with great love.”
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
1—Being Joy
2—Religions
3—Backyard Habitat
4—Independence Day
5—Peace Seeds
6—More Popcorn, Please
7—Religions In Tolerance
8—Email Hysteria
9—Anything I Can Do. . .
10—Save the Animals
Conclusion: Ancient Teaching
Appendix A: The Peace Seeds
Appendix B: What You Can Do
Invitation from the Author
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INTRODUCTION
Those of you who have already read the larger book (in print) Small Things Count!—Simple Ways to Live Christ’s Love Each Day know what this little book is about. It contains new articles not published in the original book, new challenges for you to spread your wings and fly like the butterfly you’ve become.
What’s this about butterflies? If you have to ask, you’re a new reader. Let me explain.
All people have the capacity to become butterflies. We build cocoons around us, then decide whether we’ll keep the beauty we’ve grown into closed up or emerge into the not-always sunny world. When we do come out, letting the light warm our wings, it feels so good that we want to share the feeling. In fact, that’s what God expects of us. His desire is to see all His human family interacting in love and peace.
The image of the butterfly comes from the realm of meteorology, from the theory that an insect flapping its wings in one part of the world sets off a series of events which affect the weather in another part of the world. This is called the “Butterfly Effect.”
Why not, then, use the same principle to make a better world? Why not effect little changes in our behavior and attitudes that cause airstreams that move others in the same positive direction?
That’s what both books are about—small yet potentially world-changing actions we can take in our everyday lives at home, at work, at church, among friends or strangers—anywhere we find ourselves.
Try these attempts at beginning flight-training and see if they give lift to your wings. For more advanced instruction, go to www.SmThingsCount.com.
Here comes a breeze. . . .
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1—BEING JOY
Today you brought me joy. Lying here, my body winding down in preparation to meet my God, I don’t get much joy. You’ve sat by my bed so often these weeks and given me your friendship. You’ve read the newspaper to me, stopping to make comments on how humans take ourselves ‘way too seriously. You read that new book by the author I love, aloud, cover to cover. You excused yourself so the hospice people could care for me, then returned and handed me a sip or water before settling in to watch TV with me, often making fun of the commercials.
You always started your visit with reminiscences of happy times and news about people we both know. Then, as I grew tired, you’d stay while I napped, knitting quietly, reaching out to touch my hand from time to time so I knew I wasn’t alone. Finally, we’d pray together, and you’d say, “See you later.” I knew that was true, either tomorrow or in Heaven.
You are a true friend. You are true joy.
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2—RELIGIONS
Sit back in your easy chair and learn about how other people worship. Read books, articles, and the weekly Religion section in the local newspaper. If you stay up late, watch “Religion and Ethics Newsweekly” and similar offerings on public TV or record them for later viewing. Look at their Web site (www.pbs.org) for specific programs and, while you’re there, read some of their articles.
Want to get out of the house? Visit a synagogue, temple, or mosque, or attend a worship service there. Attend a class in a specific faith or comparative faiths. Research a faith in the public library. Look at the newspaper activities calendar for
something of interest.
No matter what you do, learning about another’s faith not only strengthens your own but also fosters understanding in you, and that understanding helps make us all part of God’s family.
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3—BACKYARD HABITAT
Spring into winter. Instead of spending the winter hibernating with the plants in your yard, start planning for a healthier, more beautiful home for your family and for the little creatures living close to you.
Your yard or even apartment balcony can be certified by the National Wildlife Foundation’s Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program. It takes five steps.
~~~Provide a food source for your little visitors in the form of native plants, which take less water and produce nectar, berries, or seeds.
~~~Supply clean water for drinking and bathing, like a birdbath or pond.
~~~Put in logs, rocks, or a birdhouse to give cover, for both protection and a place to raise young.
~~~Practice environmentally friendly gardening, using less lawn, more mulching, and rain barrels or other water conservation methods.
~~~Click on www.nwf.org/bwh and certify your new habitat (this is optional but fun). For details, go to that Web site or call the National Wildlife Foundation at (800)822-9919.
Creating your habitat will bring sunshine to your family and life to your little corner of the world.
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4—INDEPENDENCE DAY
Happy Independence Day! I’m celebrating by noticing how truly independent I am. I have so many choices: to sleep inside my home or camp outside; to eat too many BBQ ribs or not eat at all; to go to the doctor with my nagging cold or just ride it out; to go to work or take a day off; to spend full price on that coat, just because I love it, or forego it for now, hoping to find it on sale or free from a friend who no longer wants hers. I can even choose to spend my day dreaming of fun activities with the family or worrying about what might happen to me next.