When You Feel Depleted, Remember Your Thirst
I want to talk with you for a moment about your thirst for doing the work you do. Nothing comes easily these days; even our own allies sometimes feel like the biggest obstacles we face. And yet, we each keep going—you keep going. Good things happen.
As I travel the country, there almost always comes a moment when I am with a group of people where I stop, slow things down, soften my voice, and say: “I suspect many of you feel tired, fatigued, frustrated, even angry about where things are today.” Virtually everyone nods in agreement. Some people tear up in relief that a silence has been broken. It doesn’t matter who people voted for in recent elections; so many of us feel this way. Maybe you do, too.
Still, you keep going. I know this. I see it. You keep striving to repair breaches in our communities and in society. You keep working at it. You may retreat some nights into the cocoon of your home; but you always get back up and start again the next day.
This has been on my mind because I have had some people close to me die recently who so clearly exhibited a thirst for life. The thirst that I feel, always. The thirst you feel, too.
This thirst is not theoretical; it is alive within you. Just when you get knocked down, something inside you rings a bell and you get back up. Just when you think all is lost, you discover something new. Just when you believe everyone has seemingly abandoned you, you get a call from someone you hadn’t expected to hear from.
You can taste this thirst on your lips. It’s like a deep wellspring bubbling up within you. It gives rise to your will. It propels you forward. Something that one might think would deplete you actually engenders life.
And so I ask you:
What is your thirst about?
Why do you choose to keep going amid the challenges you/we face?
How is it that you can replenish yourself just when you think you’ve run dry?
I urge you to answer these questions. Take a moment and write down your responses and keep them close to you. After all, the world needs you. We need you. Especially now.
In my faith—like in so many faiths—there is a teaching: “If you save one life, you save the world.” I have written and spoken extensively about this teaching. But for now, I simply want to say this to you: Whatever contribution you make, it’s enough. Indeed, it’s needed—however big or small. Let’s give ourselves permission to take just one step at a time. Good things will happen. We can grow and spread them from there.
My message to you as we close out a challenging year is simply this: Live by your thirst to make a difference. Don’t give up, or give in. You are an agent of hope.
Remember to answer the questions. Send me your responses, or simply your thoughts. Always remember: We are meant to go together. So, let’s go together. Join me.
