Do I have a life?
Following my trip to Washington D.C for the ACB Legislative Seminar, I have been thinking about why so many people choose not to be involved in advocating for the blind. I am mostly speaking of blind people who themselves do not believe it is necessary to work for change.
In no way do I believe I am naive and therefore expect everyone to feel equally impassioned on all issues. I don’t even expect everyone to be interested in playing major roles, but I do believe that more people can play a position on the team. Not everyone feels comfortable writing letters, speaking to others or even actively raising money to support the effort. There are so many other ways individuals can contribute.
I recently had a conversation with a friend and colleague. We were trying to figure out why some visually impaired and blind people feel absolutely no connection to the fight for improving the condition of lives in the blind community. People say things like, “Well, I have a life.” That may be true, but after meeting people who were not only blind, but some facing other physical challenges and yet still actively working for change, I re-examine my own definition of “having a life.”
At one time in my life I thought having a life meant, going to work, having a family, maybe some volunteer work or serving the community in some way and that’s about it. It was important to get the house, the car and maybe some point do something for someone else – mainly my kids. I don’t think I was or am a materialistic person,(my wife will testify to that! :)) but I subscribed to the American dream like so many others.
Now, I make way less money than I did in the past. I am not on the road to corporate success, damn I ain’t even near the ladder, let alone climbing it. But, I am busy as ever and this time I feel the purpose. I speak to people everyday who tell me how they are affected by what we are doing at MCCB. Not only other individuals who are going through sight loss, but the other members of our organization who feel passionately about our mission.
I guess I’m going through a transitional stage in my life. I am sure it is a waste of time trying to determine exactly where life is taking me. At one point in my life I thought I was the only driver, but the truth is, I was taught that God plays a bigger role than I once credited him with. My Mom has something she always says, and for years it annoyed me because I only looked at part of the statement, “Leave it up to God.” I took that statement literally. I thought it meant I have no control over my own destiny. The truth is I control the type of people I associate with, the information I study and accept. God however, will handle the rest. It feels good to be in a place with some uncertainty, but yet a lot of optimism and potential.
Hmmmm! Does that mean I have a life?