Getting a grip on my power

There are many issues in this world such as environmental damages to this earth, world hunger and living sustainably. When it comes to the environment, I make sure to use a reusable water bottle, I recycle, carpool-I do little things that I am sure a lot of people do. When it comes to sustainable living, I eat organically and share my knowledge of sustainable living to others. I have grown up with the mindset that making little changes can be a part of the greater good. However I do feel powerless when I think that I can make a large difference in this world. Everyone has their own life to worry about, many people to do little things everyday that impacts their life along with others but I can't help to think that I am just one person, can what I do really make a difference? This world is so large it is sometimes hard to grasp the concept of change when I feel so powerless when it comes to major problems in this world.

After reading Power and Love and starting to read Getting A Grip, I am starting to see that the little changes to make a difference and I am starting to see more options of helping the world and my life in ways I did not before. When I am in the grocery store I take more time not just getting the first label that says organic but I am looking for locally grown foods, going to farmers markets and finding ways to give back to the farmers rather than giving my money away to a large corporation. Through reading the texts and hearing various speakers speak to us,I have been able to share my knowledge to my friends and family. It has given me this new sense of power that I did not have before. I like being able to teach them new facts and it makes me feel good about myself knowing I am helping others along the way.
Out of the five qualities she talks about, learned and not automatic and power creating, not controlling where the two that stood out to me the most when I think about what I have learned about so far in this class. I have learned that it takes time to open peoples minds up to new ideas and it is not going to always be accepted right away but that is the power of change and moving forward to get to that greater good. Understanding that there is a difference between teaching people and telling people. Teaching is a process just like learning and practice only makes perfect. After learning something it must be applied to the real world, in everyday life, and that is how change occurs in this world. It happens gradually, not automatically over night.
When I went to the Novato High to pass out food, I did not have very high expectations for it. I assumed the kids would just walk right past us and nothing very interesting was going to come out of it. I was surprised when kids actually listened to what we were saying and seemed interesting in learning about it. We did not get anyone to sign up for gleaning but the fact that I was able to let them know some information was empowering for me. The facts I told them hopefully they will think a little more about what the eating and where it is coming from and maybe even encourage their parents to look into more sustainable living and buying locally. To some other people it might not seem like I made that much of a difference but if opened up one kids eyes to see how they can make a difference in their eating habits that is good enough for me.
I am starting to learn now that by taking the knowledge I have and sharing it with others, is helping out and being powerful. I am definetly going to be looking into more organizations that I can join and finding projects I can lend my hands to so that way I can empower others with the knowldge I am learning over this course.