Tsunami Memorial

Later today, I’m going to say a few words at the tsunami memorial being held at the Los Angeles Baha’i Center. Since I’m speaking on behalf of Be the Cause, I thought I should share with you all more or less what I’m planning to say. Here goes:
This year, we’ve seen so many natural disasters and human tragedies. From the tsunami to the floods in Guatemala to the earthquake in Pakistan and Hurricane Katrina. Not to mention the violence, poverty, and disease that is so prevelent in so many parts of the world. Sometimes just thinking about it can be overwhelming. But the tsunami showed us the capacity of kindness. People from every corner of the earth reached out to help their fellow human beings. That’s very encouraging for a couple of reasons. One reason is that is shows that kindness transcends borders, politics, race, and religion. Another reason is that it proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that everything we need to make the world a better place is already here. It’s within our reach, because it’s within us. This new year, I’m challenging myself and I’m offering this challenge to you. Everyday we must choose to do something toward being the change in the world that we want to see. If we want to see peace in the world, then we have to forgive someone who has hurt us. If we want to see equity in the world, then we have to be willing to share or give away things that have value to us. If we all do something everyday, before long, there will be millions of acts of kindness happening in the world at any given moment. Our acts of kindness will inspire other acts of kindness. Everyday, we’ll be doing an act of kindness or benefiting from an act of kindness. Once we’ve created this critical mass of kindness and compassion, dealing with the world’s problems won’t see so overwhelming at all. The tsunami will always stand for violence, death and destruction, but it also stands for survivial, hope, courage and the power that lies in the gerorosity of strangers. Let us honor those lost by focusing on survival, hope, courage and genorosity. Let us start today and now.