After my last blog entry, I felt a bit disappointed in myself.  This is because I could not discuss change without giving voice to the inner struggles I have around it. I will say more about that in future because I am sure I am not the only woman dealing with these challenges. For now, however, I don't need to elaborate.

You see, thankfully, it is my birthday today and I promised to cut myself a break from my self-critical ruminations. I can't give myself a hard time for quite a few hours yet.  Isn't that wonderful?

To move on then, I welcome change. It is hard and I’m fearful of it but I want it with everything in me. One might conclude upon reading my blog, that I think everyone should be out marching, fighting to change laws, and lobbying government on every level. The truth is that the realities of my life dictated I do these things. I had to do them to survive, to be here for this birthday.

The good news is that you don't have to do all of that. If you tire easily, are a private person, or find yourself easily agitated, I don’t recommend it, not in the least. You might think your random acts of change are too small, ineffective and useless, when that isn't the case at all. With the gift of breath, we were blessed with the startling power of ourselves and the ability to touch peoples' lives everywhere. The following quote captures my message perfectly.

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." Leo Buscaglia