Reading this book Widdershins, I am reminded of the world we live in. How we cansenselessly kill each other without batting an eye. Joseph Crazy Dog says that every death diminishes us. We shouldn't take personal issues to innocents. It's too complicated to explain it all, but in the book the cerva (the buffalo) are going to battle against the fairy because the fairy have been taking over the cousins' land after we stripped them of their hides and left them to rot in the grass. Minisino, the leader of the cerva, makes the point that no one is innocent, and maybe that's true. But I like Joe's attitude better.
"It's just this theory that I have that there's not enough goodness in the world. And we need more of it. Well, see, if you do someone a favour, expecting something in return, it's not as pure as just doing it with no expectation. Doing it just for the sake of doing it, because it's the right thing. It's a funny wheel we're on these days. Sometimes I feel it's wobbling so much I get worried it's going to go right off track, and then where the hell would we be? The best way I know to keep it running smooth is make sure the acts of kindness outweigh the bad. I can't do it for the whole world, but I can do it in my own life, and I figure every little bit helps."
Terrible things happen. Massacres happen at universities. Millions of men and women and children die because of unsettled governments. We automatically hate those we don't know or understand. We all have shadows inside of us, hiding in the light that fills our hearts. If we can just reach inside of ourselves and erase that shadow, rid our minds with the dark memories and experiences that keep us from progressing. Sometimes I wish that I had a pocket world in the otherworld, that I could step into whenever I wanted to, to get away from people and the tragedies that happen in the world. But I know that that can't happen. I have to deal with life and move on. I have to find that shadow within myself and deal with it, get it out so that I can continue on. Stop brooding and just do good things for other people.
I think that Joe Crazy Dog is right. All we can do is try and make sure that the good outweighs the bad in the world. Terrible things happen. But there are so many good people out there, doing good things for other people. Random anonymous acts of kindness. Sincere acts of love. We don't have to change the world to change someone's life. Look around. There is someone who needs your help. Make yourself available. And when someone asks you for something, don't expect them to owe you a favor.
Widdershins. This whole book is about helping people, standing up against an army with a handful of others because you want to help save a race that you've never met before. It's about making bonds with each other, making each other family. It's about choice. It's about feeling such love for people, no matter who they are, that death doesn't stop you from helping them.
"People can be so horrible, can't they?"
"But they have the potential inside them for great good, too, Rabedy Collins. It's true we can't make them turn from doing wrong. But we can set an example by how we live our own lives."
"Do you think it makes a difference?"
"Everything we do makes a difference," she told him. "The onus is upon us as to whether the difference we make is for good or evil." She paused a beat, then added, "I will go find my father. Wait for me here."
And then she was gone.
