“Even If I Never See It?”

“What’s worth doing even if I fail?” -Brene Brown

“Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we are saved by love. No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our standpoint. Therefore we must be saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness.” -Reinhold Niebuhr

“Although we wish it was otherwise, the struggle for justice is never completed in one lifetime or one rebellion. The shifting of systems, the turning of hearts, the forgiveness of oppressions and the dissipation of anger (righteous or not) takes time. It is not easy to confront injustice. It requires solidarity and the inevitable loss of life. It requires that each generation aver, “we are ready to be free by any peaceful means necessary.” -Dr. Barbara A. Holmes

“And…and you know what, maybe I’m crazy. But when I walk through a forest that I saved, when I hear the sound of wind rustling in young trees, trees that I planted myself, I realize that I have my own little bit of control over the climate. And if after thousands of years one person is happier because of it, well then…I can’t tell you the feeling I get when I plant a birch tree and I see it grow up and sprout leaves, I…I mean, I fill up with pride, I…” -Astrov in Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov (Annie Baker adaptation)

“To plant a sapling and then to actually care about what happens to it a thousand years from now…to think that hard about the future of humanity…People like him are rare, and they deserve love.” -Yelena in Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov (Annie Baker adaptation)

What’s worth doing even if you never see the fruits of your efforts? That the only ones who will benefit are future generations, a long way off.

Whatever is revealed to you upon asking the question, do that.

P.S. – Correction to yesterday’s Peace, Love and Understanding post. Two loyal readers pointed out that Nick Lowe wrote and recorded the song first. In 1974, with his band, Brinsley Schwarz. Elvis Costello covered the song in 1978, which was actually released as a B-side to Lowe’s solo single “American Squirm.” The cover saw great popularity and was later included on the American version of Costello’s 1979 album “Armed Forces.” (H/t to Mark and Ron.)