Tag Archives: religion

ARE YOU AN ACTIVIST, INNOVATOR, HUMANIST, PIONEER, PHILANTHROPIST OR A CHANGE AGENT?

Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection…  Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or volunteering and giving of themselves for others… UMC.org.  Retrieved From http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=2870/

With Easter approaching, thoughts about the 40 days of Lent ran through my mind.  When I ask people what they are, or have given up for Lent, I am typically answered with similar responses.  The response I generally receive, is they have given up, or abstained from something that promotes a positive feeling for them.  They are doing something they believe is good.  Generally, when the response is given, a smile is on their face.  Sometimes, they are glowing as they tell you.  They are proud of themselves and the sacrifice they are making.  Imagine if we all did that more often? 

Not being brought up in a robust religious environment, I missed out on a few key things while growing up.  Some related to feeling a sense of belonging with a like-minded community.  Off course, I was a  little envious of my friends who attended CCD together or belonged to the same youth groups.  Fortunately, my parents did promote the moral structure which surrounds many religions.  I was brought up with a conscience and taught right from wrong.  My mother and father promoted being kind to others and doing good deeds.   They taught me about many religions allowing me to understand people from all over the world.  Still, I do wish I had the opportunity to fully grasp one during my youth.  Religion. is like a foundation.  Unfortunately, it is also a topic which is taboo to talk about according to some.  Regardless, this is my blog, my website, and my opinion, simply put.

With Easter approaching and Lent coming to an end, I can only say that I wish we all practiced Lent all year-long!  As humans, we should live each day giving a little something of ourselves selflessly like some of the women below.  The women listed below are some of the most influential and brave souls I have ever read about.  They are an inspiration to many, including myself!  As a mother, I can only hope to teach my daughters a bit of what their stories have taught me.  Hopefully, their stories will be part of the foundation my daughters choose to build their lives on.  I encourage you to take a moment, and read some of their stories.

Nazanin Afshin-Jam

Indira Gandhi

Jane Goodall

Gloria Steinem

Harriet Tubman

Betty Friedan

Leymah Gbowee

Dr. Viola M. Vaughn

Josette Sheeran

Julia Bacha

Karen Tse

Linda Rottenberg

Karol Boudreaux

Queen Rania

Sabine Kuegler

Baria Daye

Tawakel Karman

These Women, And Many More, Encompass The True Meaning Of Some Of The Strongest Words In The English Language

Humanist

A believer in the principles of humanism.  One who is concerned with the interests and welfare of humans.

(definition from Answers.com)

http://www.answers.com/topic/humanist/

Activist

An activist is someone who takes action in support of or opposition to a cause. Activism can take a range of forms, from writing letters to government representatives to organizing boycotts. Some activists engage in radical or even illegal activity to further their ends, while others prefer to stay within the boundaries of the law to win more supporters to their causes. Every time someone writes a letter to the editor, educates a friend about an issue, or phones an elected official, he or she is participating in activism.

(definition From the wiseGEEK) 

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-activist.htm/

Pioneer

One who opens up new areas of thought, research, or development.

(definition from The Free Dictionary)

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pioneer/        

 Philanthropist

One who makes an active effort to promote human welfare. 

(definition from m-w.com)

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/philanthropist/

 Innovator

An innovator in a general sense, is a person or an organization who is one of the first to introduce into reality something better than before. That often opens up a new area for others and achieves an innovation.

(definition From Wikepedia)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innovator/

Change-Agent

A change agent is an event, organization, material thing or, more usually, a person that acts as a catalyst for change. In business terms, a change agent is a person chosen to bring about organisational change. Corporations often hire senior managers or even chief executives because of their ability to effect change.

(definition from Answers.com)     

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_change_agent/