September 2008 - The Parklander Magazine

By Jack Bloomfield
“What Can I Do”
In a recent column, I asked the question, “Is Prayer Enough” It is my belief
that prayer is not enough to turn around negative situations or fix problems
we deal with on a daily basis. I felt that prayer was best if used to come to a
place of acceptance but for real change and solutions, we had to take action. If
we wanted a beautiful garden, we had to pick up the hoe and that it is
unlikely that prayer alone would result in the appearance of a beautiful garden.
What is it that keeps many of us from picking up the hoe or taking action
Two problems that often arise. First, the belief that many see God more like
a fairy godmother who will wave her magic wand or like a genie in a bottle
that will appear and grant us three wishes to make our problems disappear.
Seems that for some it is easier to take this route, cross our fingers and hope
that the God of our understanding will fix everything.
Second, many of us refrain from taking action because we see the problems as
just too big. Homelessness, world hunger, child abuse and neglect, addicts
that are lost, prejudice and hatred and more are just too overwhelming. Most
of us feel helpless and say,“What can I do These problems are just too big.
Recently, I found myself overwhelmed with this exact feeling. On the same
day, I came across a prayer stuck in an old book that I pulled down from my
shelf to read again. It spoke to this issue that had been troubling me. After
reading this prayer, I gained a new spirit of inspiration so I want to take this
opportunity to share it with you.It is my hope that it might also give you new
inspiration. It is meant for all of us who say to ourselves, “This is just too big.
Why bother to try to do anything The prayer is called,“What Can I Do.”
What Can I Do
My Child, I’ve often heard your question: This message is my answer.
You’re concerned about the hungry in the world, the millions who are
starving… and you ask, “What can I do” FEED ONE
You grieve for all the unborn children aborted every day… and you ask:
“What can I do” SAVE ONE
You’re haunted by the homeless poor who wander city streets… and you
ask: “What can I do” SHELTER ONE
You feel compassion for those who suffer pain, sorrow and despair…
and you ask: “What can I do” COMFORT ONE
You yearn to change the hearts of those who live with prejudice and
hatred… and you ask “What can I do” CHANGE ONE
Your heart goes out to the lonely, the abused and the imprisoned… and
you ask “What can I do” LOVE ONE
Remember this my child…HOPE BEGINS WHEN YOU REACH OUT
TO JUST ONE!
I am happy to say that for today, this prayer has redirected my thinking and
action. It helped me see things in a new way and reaffirms the idea that I can
make a difference. I can be a part of the solution. I only have to bring it down
to a more manageable size. Instead of trying to fix the whole world I should
keep my focus by just helping ONE. So in closing, the title of today’s
column asks the question, what can you do My hope is that you’ll bring it
down to size, take action and HELP ONE! Peace out.
the PARKLANDER
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