Going Small to Go Big

​Voices for Earth Justice started interviewing me for the executive director position back in the summer. I started the job on September 11. 

Almost every day since I submitted my application letter, I've been contemplating the name of our organization: "Voices for Earth Justice." 

That's a big name. A REALLY big name!

As big as Earth! 

As big as justice!

The more I contemplate that big name, the smaller I feel:

"Irwin, who are you to presume that you should be 'executive director' of 'Earth Justice?'"

"Irwin, who are you to believe you can make any difference to Earth justice?"

"Irwin, what do you even know about Earth justice?" 

Do you ever question yourself that way? Do you ever feel that same small feeling? 

Over the three months since I started my new role at Voices for Earth Justice, I've come to the conclusion that being/feeling "small" is not a bad thing. 

In fact, it may be the thing we need to take on something as big as Earth justice. 

Three things I've come to believe (see if you believe them, too):

• I believe that all the little things people do every day can add up to something much bigger than the big, splashy things that make headlines once in awhile. And all those little things that people do every day as a matter of habit are far more impactful and sustainable. 
• I believe that if we are to grow a fair, just, and sustainable world, everyone has to have a part and a place in it. People like me. People like you. 
• I believe that when I admit that my familiarity and understanding are small, I open myself to exploration, growth, and maturation. I open myself to creation and all its mysteries and possibilities. 

As we go forward together, let's celebrate, embrace, and make the best use of our smallness.

Let's believe in the power of the little things we choose to do each day and let's find practical ways to be a little better today than we were yesterday. 

Let's believe that even the people we don't like or don't understand have as much a role to play in the world we're growing as we do. Let's seek to listen big and talk small in order to make room for mutual respect and understanding. 

Let's delight and glory more in what we don't know than stagnate in what we do know.

Being small and doing small are often the excuses we use to do nothing at all.

In truth, being small and doing small are exactly what we need to be and do to start making a real difference.

Let's embrace being small. It's a big deal! 

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