Be the change

Published December 27, 2012

Stockton Sentinel

Stockton, Kansas

            The day after the horrific events in Newtown, Connecticut, I was driving home from Hays after doing some Christmas shopping. My heart was so heavy with sadness that the shopping wasn’t fun at all, and really didn’t seem to even matter. As usual, I was traveling with one of my favorite Christmas CDs playing: Josh Groban’s “Noel.” 

            The song on his CD entitled “Thankful,” really touched my heart. The words are so appropriate and very meaningful for this time. And even though the tears flowed as I was driving and listening, I repeated the song several times. I share these lyrics for your own reflection. If ever there was a New Year’s Resolution that could apply equally to all, “Be the change” might be that challenge.

“Thankful”

by Josh Groban

Some days we forget to look around us.

Some days we can’t see the joy that surrounds us;

So caught up inside ourselves, we take when we should give.

So for tonight we pray for what we know can be.

And on this day we hope for what we still can’t see.

It’s up to us to be the change,

And even though we all can still do more

There’s so much to be thankful for.

Look beyond ourselves, there’s so much sorrow.

It’s way too late to say I’ll cry tomorrow.

Each of us must find our truth, it’s so long overdue.

So for tonight we pray for what we know can be.

And every day we hope for what we still can’t see.

It’s up to us to be the change,

And even though we all can still do more

There’s so much to be thankful for.

Even with our differences

There is a place we’re all connected

Each of us can find each other’s light.

So for tonight we pray for what we know can be.

And on this day we hope for what we still can’t see.

It’s up to us to be the change,

And even though this world needs so much more,

There’s so much to be thankful for.

2013: Be the change.