Idealism vs. Cynicism

A professor once warned me that after college, if you don't stay in touch with other like minded people, your idealism and goals to change the world will fade away. I'm sure this true, we were made to thrive in community. For me, the idealism vs. cynicism question is turning out to be a huge conundrum in this first year of "real life" after college. Since I came to Cambodia, I've probably spent more time following world news than ever before. I have the time and I do feel more plugged into what's going on in the rest of the world outside of my American bubble. And the news has been both inspiring and depressing with headlines about-

• The mostly peaceful overthrow of dictators in Egypt and Tunisia and widespread unrest against authoritarian governments throughout the Middle East and North Africa
• A US government that might shut down because no one can agree on a budget
• Natural disasters in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia. . .
• Protesting in Wisconsin about labor rights
• Border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand with colonial roots
• Backlash against immigrants in Europe

And the list goes on and on. Some things have given me great hope and shown the best of what people can be. Nonviolent protests succeeding in toppling corrupt regimes. Christian protesters protecting Muslim protesters while they pray. People coming together to clean up after natural disasters. Americans being inspired by Egyptians to protect their labor unions.

Other things make me cynical- European nations tightening their immigration laws and unable to hide the racism behind this change. Cambodia and Thailand clashing over an ancient temple whose ownership is contested because of how the French drew the border lines while they were in power here. Violence overtaking Libya. The constant spend more and increase the debt or make cuts that hurt the poor battle in the US.

So I've already discovered that being an idealist is not the easiest task is this world. But here's why I don't want to give up: I have always believed we live in a fallen, broken world where crappy things happen. I have known that people hurt each other- globally and inter-personally. But, I have also seen how great people and life can be when we cast off our selfishness and cynicism and just take the risk of holding onto hope. One person's actions can't change a corrupt government or feed all the hungry and make national debt disappear-- but one person can love and encourage his or her circle of influence. One person can make decisions about resource consumption and how they live out of deep convictions. One person can choose to reach across the lines that divide us all- race, nationality, culture, class, language, power- and love the best they can through all the messiness of real relationships. Its small, but its something. I haven't perfected any of these things, but I'll spend my life figuring out how to do them.

Some days, I don't want to read the news because its just depressing. But, I still can't give up my idealism because it makes my life better and it has the chance at making others' lives better too. I'm part of a generation that is mostly sick of the overconsumption of our parents, that sees the damage the me, me, me, screw the environment, screw the poor attitude caused. So, I don't think anyone- not our elders or the newspaper- has the right to dampen our enthusiasm to live a life that means something. We may succeed in some ways, and we will fail in others, but I think we deserve the chance to try something new.

Is that enough cheesy blog post for today? I think so. Having a blog is like giving me a soap box.

(P.S. I don't know if the whole ice cream from breast milk thing goes in the encouraging or depressing news section)