“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” According to Wikipedia, those are the words of Edward Everett Hale, an American author, historian and Unitarian clergyman. He was a child prodigy who exhibited extraordinary literary skills and at age thirteen was enrolled at Harvard University where he graduated second in his class.
We are at a time in this country when the majority of our citizens are fundamentally opposed to some of the policies and practices of our government, particularly at the federal level. Rather than responding to the combined voices of the masses, the President, his cabinet, along with the majority of Congress, seem to be pursuing an agenda of lining the pockets of the wealthy at the expense of the lower and middle-class. Some of the legislation and current implementation of policies appears abhorrent to the majority.
The average citizen seems frustrated and increasingly angry as this administration continues to pursue a self-centered agenda … an agenda that is not for the benefit of the average citizen, but for the privileged few.
This past weekend, the President’s Press Secretary was denied service by the owner of a D.C. restaurant. Meanwhile, the Head of the Department of Homeland Security was hounded out of a Mexican Restaurant in Washington because of the way her department is choosing to enforce immigration policy. They weren’t denied because of race or sexual orientation; they weren’t denied because of ethnic background, age nor gender. They were denied because of their behavior.
We each have an Inner Magnificence that, when we attend to it, energizes us to draw attention to matters of Truth and Justice, to matters of Compassion and Understanding. We have an Inner Magnificence that reflects all that is noble and lofty, good and pure.
Rather than allowing themselves to feel victimized by a sense of powerlessness in the face of falsehoods and deception and cruelty, we have examples of individuals who are adopting Hale’s proclamation that – even though they are only one, and even though they can’t do everything – they are claiming the “something” they can do … and are doing it.
What about you? When you become aware of something that offends your sense of goodness, what do you do? Do you assume the victim posture, and justify it by telling yourself that you are only one person and there isn’t anything you can do? Or, do you look within and claim the power you have … how much or little it may seem? Do you let the fact that you can’t do everything stop you from doing the something that you can do? When we make that choice, we end up robbing ourselves, because we have chosen not to honor our own Magnificence.
So, here’s my invitation for today: Honor your Inner Magnificence. When you become aware of a situation that doesn’t reflect the best of humanity, choose to do something. Refuse to excuse your inaction by telling yourself that you are only one person. Step into your Splendor; claim your power and act on it!
The extent to which you do is the extent to which you will say, “I feel good about being me!” … and that’s a promise!
Image Credit: Wikipedia Commons, Lancashire One logo.jpg
