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Quote of the Day: Howard Zinn

June 27th, 2010

To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. Howard Zinn
It can get overwhelming when you start listening to the news. You hear stories of corruption and greed. Stories of the involvement of corporations in politics, about judges and politicians favoring companies that donate large amounts of money to their campaigns. It seems everyone is taking advantage of others, lying, stealing, and trying to get something for nothing. You can easily feel overwhelmed by it all. But remember, you can make a difference. Focus on the the small scale, even if it’s only a small seemingly meaningless thing. Talk to the people you meet throughout the day, smile at someone, be kind, find a charity to be involved in, or send some money to help someone less fortunate than yourself. Perhaps you can take some time to teach someone how to garden, or grow their own food. Take some time to do something nice today, be a voice of compassion in our corrupt world. You’ll be amazed at how it will foster hopefulness in you and those around you!

Do you ever feel overwhelmed when you hear about all the corruption in the world?

6 Comments to “Quote of the Day: Howard Zinn”
  1. Chicago Mike on June 27, 2010 at 8:54 am

    Yes, I do, I think most of us do at one time or another.

    But don’t become disengaged. When too many people become disengaged from politics is when politicians can get away with such things.

    More eyes means more accountability!
    .-= Chicago Mike´s last blog ..The 2010 Crop List =-.

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  2. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by mark mile, Susy Morris. Susy Morris said: #Quote of the Day: Howard Zinn http://goo.gl/fb/dUEV6 […]

    Reply to Tweets that mention Howard Zinn Quote | Chiot’s Run — Topsy.com's comment

  3. marcyincny on June 27, 2010 at 10:57 am

    For me it’s not the current state of affairs per se, but rather exactly what Chicago Mike mentioned, the stunning degree of disengagement I see in almost everyone around me. At this rate I soon won’t be able to go out in public without running the risk of doing serious bodily injury to someone who does something like pick up a bunch of asparagus clearly marked “product of Peru” in upstate NY in May. I loved Howard Zinn but I’m not sure the quote fully recognizes the soul-numbing nature of a consumer culture. I’ll go away now…
    .-= marcyincny´s last blog ..Bona and Jazzfest 2010 =-.

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  4. MAYBELLINE on June 27, 2010 at 7:06 pm

    Everyday.
    It only encourages me to grow the perfect tomato.

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  5. Turling on June 27, 2010 at 11:28 pm

    I’m building a bunker in the backyard. That’s going to be my answer to it all.

    Reply to Turling's comment

  6. Aurora on June 28, 2010 at 6:24 am

    Thank you, this quote has cheered me up no end.

    I sometimes take media breaks where I don’t watch or read the news for a week at a time. For example, the disaster unfolding in Gulf of Mexico at the moment (I am in the UK, so have not been exposed to the blanket coverage that you understandably have) and the response of vested interests across the board is just too much to deal with. I read up on what I needed to know, and now I have stopped listening. I am unable to do anything directly to intervene, so I just have to make my own life work a little better to make sure that I take care of my local environment; and I can transform my anger into something a little more productive.

    Thank god for the internet. It means that you can seek out people from all over the world who share your values; and who you can see are trying to be better humans and create more beautiful lives every day. Your blog always cheers me up!

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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