At the desk, 9:18 a.m.
I have a voice inside me that says, "You always have more to give."
I have a deep knowing inside that reminds me, "Simply by being born in this country, I've been given more than I can ever repay."
I have a vague global understanding that what seems like politics and rhetoric here in the United States - the War on Drugs - is actually life, death, torture, rape, and dislocation for more than 6 million people in Columbia spilling into other Ecuador and other countries.
But I get tired. I want to do less. I want to sit here and watch videos and contemplate my navel.
I don't want to mow the lawn, weed the garden, plant a clematis (three things I did this morning) I want to sit and stress.
When I feel the "I want to do less" come over me, I remember Angelina Jolie. She doesn't have to do anything. She's made enough money to never act again. She has six children to love and care for, which by her account they have very little help. She has big houses and nice shoes. She could spend her days getting facials, manicures, or practicing her lines. Instead, she gets on planes and flies to uncomfortable places to meeting unwashed refugees.
Why does she do this? I honestly think the answer is - because she can.
I admire that. Just as I admire Sean Penn utilizing his innate assholery to get stuff done in Haiti or George Clooney using his wealth and status to go with his father to report atrocities in the Sudan or Matt Damon focusing his and his friend's wealth on clean water.
Marilyn Monroe didn't stretch herself in this way. Nor did Cary Grant or Marlon Brado or Jimmy Stewart or... The actors and actresses of old spent their resources on their habits and lifestyle. Not on attempting to make the world a better place.
I admire anyone who's willing to stretch themselves and their lives, who does one more thing instead of one less thing before going to bed, who sees where they can make an impact and works where they stand - and I admire Angelina Jolie.
So I ask myself - How will I use my life today? What can I do that might make a difference in someone else's life today?
There's always one more thing I can do.
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