Honestly, I was torn between what to write this week. There is SO much going on in the world. So much agony, pain, frustration, diseases, wars, natural disasters, political races, orphans, bombs….everyday it is a new story, a new tragedy. We are bombarded with news and images of all of the hurt in this world. Even in these times, it is easier to submit to sadness than to happiness.

In the past week, Haiti has been on everyone’s hearts and minds.  Again, we’ve been bombarded with news and images of the immense destruction and damage that the country has faced. Not only is there physical damage but the emotional and psychological pain is beyond something that we might not ever understand. How can we help? What can we do? Of course, it is easy to feel bad for the victims and people involved but pity won’t give them their homes back. Pity won’t give them their children and loved ones back, and pity won’t fill up their stomachs when they’re hungry or quench their thirsty when they are thirsty.

Whether it is a personal or worldly tragedy, during the darkest of times we must not sit and wallow in shame, grief, and pity. Fully embrace the feeling yes, but do not stay there. By fully embracing it, you’re accepting and making peace with what has happened. By accepting the situation and the circumstances you can begin to move forward.

In these times, the greatest thing we can do is TAKE ACTION. It is the only way to grow and move forward. Even if you don’t know which way to go, taking that first step is crucial. Start small, and eventually all of your small things will add up to one gigantic goal, dream, mission, or achievement.

We must all remember to start small. Slowly begin to exercise. Smile five times more a day than you frown. Add an extra thirty minutes of sleep to your nights. Compliment a stranger. Volunteer on a random Wednesday.  A bag of diapers. A pack of t-shirts. A donation to Yele Haiti. It all adds up. It doesn’t matter how big the contribution is-to yourself or the world-as long as you start somewhere. By starting, you are choosing to create change.

(Caption: (left to right)Women who started small, and left a big impression on the women of Haiti; Magalie Marcelin ,Myriam Merlet, and Anne Marie Coriolan, founders of three of Haiti’s most important advocacy organizations working on behalf of women and girls who were confirmed dead after last week’s devastating 7.0 earthquake. Link to CNN Story about women: http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/01/20/haitian.womens.movement.mourns/index.html?hpt=C2 )

Rosabella Booties by Kelsi Dagger. The Aubergine ones are the business… Available here.