Hope in New Beginnings

 

It has been quite a while since my walks have brought me to such a curbside display. Back in the spring and summer, it seemed everyone was remodeling or painting or cleaning out their garages. In those early months of the pandemic, when we were all suddenly at home more, we all noticed things about our homes that needed refreshed or replaced. Everyday was an adventure of seeing what was put out on the curb for bulk trash pick-up.

These folks put everything neatly in boxes, lined up in a row, only a few random things like the rolled-up rug lying loose on the grass - and even it was neatly arranged. I couldn’t help but imagine how immaculate the inside of that house must be! But what I loved most was the caution marker. I wonder if it means, “Hey, if you are driving your car on the sidewalk, please swerve into the street for a few feet to protect my trash!” Or, are their dangerous days all behind them and they no longer have need of a warning sign? I wonder.

This image also brought to mind the fact that making changes, even for the better, always comes with a bit of danger. Changes in our home mean inconvenience and disruption. Changes in our jobs bring anxiety and the unknown. To change direction in our lives will always bring the danger of alienation from people we care most about, and can draw criticism from those who don’t really care about us at all. To be an agent of change in an organization or in the world carries the danger of becoming the focal point of anger and pettiness. Come to think of it, maybe we should see a few more warning signs scattered about our life.

I have shared these words before, but they are so true and so timely in this time. Margaret Mead writes, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” To change our life for the better is worth the danger. To change our community for the better is worth the risk. To change the world for the better is worth the effort, even though such change will not be appreciated by everyone. There is risk and danger in change, true, but there is also new life. There is hope and new beginnings. I should get to work. Now, where did I put that sign?