I understand their RIGHT to have a different culture, but my aching heart just doesn't understand it. Things like this really effect me. I know they effect every one on a level too, but I will not be able to stop thinking about this. My heart is hurting like it was done to my own child. I can't stop sobbing.

Even writing in my creation thread, I was crying.

To those who struggle with scope when dealing with issues of social justice... who are slowed and swayed by the vast history of whatever wrong is being perpetuated, the generations of adamant followers, the terrible odds against winning... ill post what a fav woman of mine once gave me, concerning how one can tolerate working in an area that has many failures, takes generations to change, and has setback after setback...

Adapted from Thomas Merton, trappist monk...

"Do not depend on the hope of results. When you are doing the sort of work you have taken on, essentially an apostolic work, you may have to face the fact that your work will be apparently worthless and even achieve no result at all, if not perhaps results opposite to what you expect. As you get used to this idea, you start more and more to concentrate not on the results but on the value, the rightness, the truth of the work itself. And there too a great deal has to be gone through, as gradually you struggle less and less for an idea and more and more for specific people. The range tends to narrow down, but it gets much more real. In the end, it is the reality of personal relationships that saves everything. "

That quote, read daily, by a social justice worker for 30 years didn't change the world, but it helped her find the strength to change hundreds of lives.

I know, its preachy. One girl saved is one less tortured.

Oh Bella, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry. :(

I posted this because I thought that it needed discussing, it needs to be known, even though it's hard to know that it's going on every single day.

But there's a power in knowing something, in feeling strongly about something. That knowledge has the power to change the world.

Like I said before, if speaking out about it, even on a site, makes one person stop, saves one little girl, than that's a step in the right direction.

Do I think our words have that much power? I believe they can. We can be a voice for those children. We already are, just by telling their story.

It's like puppy mills and backyard breeders, the fight to save dogs, to make sure only legitimate breeders breed so we can put an end to the death and suffering of these animals. Every time one person says "You're right, I won't breed" lives are being saved.

Now we just have to figure out how to make our voices heard on a large scale, how to put an end to this. It's a far more difficult task than saving dogs, but in many ways it's no different. The people that backyard breed, the people that have puppymills, in many ways they just don't know any better. :(

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I know, its preachy. One girl saved is one less tortured.

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Where is the agree button?

Greenie for you KP. :)

I know Alty, I can't live in my bubble. I've always been too sensitive. But your right, telling the story does help spread the word.

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Originally Posted by kp2171

to those who struggle with scope when dealing with issues of social justice... who are slowed and swayed by the vast history of whatever wrong is being perpetuated, the generations of adamant followers, the terrible odds against winning... ill post what a fav woman of mine once gave me, concerning how one can tolerate working in an area that has many failures, takes generations to change, and has setback after setback...

adapted from Thomas Merton, trappist monk...

"Do not depend on the hope of results. When you are doing the sort of work you have taken on, essentially an apostolic work, you may have to face the fact that your work will be apparently worthless and even achieve no result at all, if not perhaps results opposite to what you expect. As you get used to this idea, you start more and more to concentrate not on the results but on the value, the rightness, the truth of the work itself. And there too a great deal has to be gone through, as gradually you struggle less and less for an idea and more and more for specific people. The range tends to narrow down, but it gets much more real. In the end, it is the reality of personal relationships that saves everything. "

that quote, read daily, by a social justice worker for 30 years didnt change the world, but it helped her find the strength to change hundreds of lives.

i know, its preachy. one girl saved is one less tortured.

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This is awesome. Something I should post at the Shelter.

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Originally Posted by Aurora_Bell

This is awesome. Something I should post at the Shelter.

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It is a quote worth sharing.

Great social change often takes generations. You must believe the work that you do is Right, no matter the outcome.

I hope you pass on mertons work.

A link with more of the letter he wrote...

Sign of Peace - Journal of the Catholic Peace Fellowship

And to those who might cringe at the christian slant this takes... Gandhi did the same work... year after year... decade after decade... justice doesn't demand any demonination... it just demands an attentive audience willing to believe it is worth the struggle.

Preachy boy tonight? Ah well. My naughty needs a yin for its yang now and then.

...

Anyone up for pad thai and spring rolls?

Send some of those spring rolls this way! I don't mind the Christian slant. If it has a good message, who cares where it comes from.

I love preachy KP. I also love spring rolls, so send them over.

I agree with Bella, as long as the message is sound, who cares where it comes from. I'm not religious, but there are many religious quotes, passages, that do hit home for me.

See, I'm not as close minded as some would think. ;)

I agree KP... on a smaller scale I hold onto this with the students I teach.

I think of planting seeds, especially in regard to behavior and making good choices. I know some may wither and never take root, but I also know some will grow and flourish, even if I never see the results, and they will go on to plant seeds elsewhere.

As has been said, one life changed...

Oh man! I missed the spring rolls! Bummer

Just think of how many lives we touch each day when we handle questions about relationships and sexuality. By being compassionate and consistent, we make a difference not only to those who post but those who read.

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Originally Posted by Cat1864

Just think of how many lives we touch each day when we handle questions about relationships and sexuality. By being compassionate and consistant, we make a difference not only to those who post but those who read.

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Greenie for focusing on some positive. We can all only do a very little in this world. But if 1 million people (which is a very small number globally) all did a little good in the world it all adds up.

Alty I think I might have to adopt you as my sexy younger sister. I too am not religious, although I have my spiritual side, but I am happy to share in the good thoughts and deeds that religion can sometimes foster.

Man no one ever wants to adopt me. :p

Cat that was a great post! Very inspiring.

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Originally Posted by Aurora_Bell

Man no one ever wants to adopt me. :p

Cat that was a great post! Very inspiring.

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They don't want to adopt me either Bella... let's just run off together to a deserted island.

Sounds good J, lets adopt each other and move to Bora Bora.

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Originally Posted by J_9

They don't want to adopt me either Bella....let's just run off together to a deserted island.

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I'll adopt both of you. ;)

Then I will run off to a deserted island. :)

Where did I leave the book with the floor plans from Gilligan's Island?:confused:

But you can't leave us behind! We'll be like lost little puppies :(

People only want to adopt me because I cook, clean and don't eat much. I'm pretty inexpensive to keep. ;)

Bella and J, you two are high maintenance. :p

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

Bella and J, you two are high maintenance. :p

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Me? High maintenance? I go to work, bring home the paycheck and sleep! How is that high maintenance? :rolleyes: