You do know that your one voice, can, and does make a difference in the life of a helpless child, right?

Since yesterday my thoughts have been consumed by; “how do we make the world the sort of world we want to live in?” Whether it be the littering issue, which I posted about on Sunday. Or respect, and kindness toward fellow human beings, that was front and center on my blog yesterday.

What will it take to change the current course of the world?

Here’s me, Ms. Idealistic, coming at you with a “simple” straightforward answer.

We change the world one person at a time.

One thought at a time.

One action at a time.

I deeply, wholeheartedly believe, and no matter how many abusive, aggressive assholes I encounter, that within me, within each and every one of us, we hold the power to make this world, our world, the sort of place we want it to be.

Last night I watched Anderson Cooper interviewing the American man who called in the terrorist suspect, leading to his arrest. Anderson asked him the simple question; “Why did you call him in? So many people “see” things but don’t act. Why did you call?”

The man had an equally simple response; “Because when we see things, we must call, we must act.” (These are not direct quotes, I am condensing, and paraphrasing the interview FYI.)

I almost jumped up out of my seat to do a happy dance when he made his statement. I was elated to learn that I am not alone, there are more people out there just like me. People who act instead of contemplate. I will forever, and always be that person who believes that when I SEE something, something that is in direct conflict of the sort of world, MY WORLD, that I want to live in, I will stand up, and say “NO NOT ON MY WATCH.” Why should one person, be allowed to strip me of my freedoms, such as walking/driving around without fear of being attacked by a strange man, because he feels like it? I won’t have it, I don’t deserve to spend my one life that way, nor do my daughters, or any other woman out there living her one life. It is not okay. I will not tolerate it.

I am delighted to share with you all, that the company who the stop sign swinging abusive asshole worked for, called me first thing this morning. They responded to my email, not only swiftly, but appropriately. When I researched them, I uncovered that it is a Canadian owned and operated company, so I had a feeling that the behavior exhibited by one of their representatives yesterday, would not sit well, or go over well with them. And I was not wrong, or disappointed. The lovely gentleman that I spoke with was stunned, apologetic, and sadly agreed wholeheartedly with me that the pattern of “acceptable” male violence toward women is on the rise. He also told me, that like me, he has three daughters, and a lovely wife, who he worries about with regards to their safety out in the world. He assured me that a man like that, a fairly new employee would not continue on with his company. He also has two sons, sharing with me that he and his wife, are raising markedly different men to the one I encountered yesterday. After speaking with him for ten minutes, I have every confidence in that being true.

So today, I will move through life, and my city a little more at ease, with the knowing that there are people out there living as the change they want to see in the world. I will also walk around with more joy in the knowing, that as the man I spoke with today reminded me; “Yes, we still have a very long way to go, and yes sometimes it does seem as if we are going backwards. But, we humans, have truly come a very long way with regards to human rights in the last 100 years. It doesn’t mean we should stop, and we might not see the world that we want in our lifetimes, but if we instill it into our children then perhaps they will.”

To that I say,
Amen