Am I crazy?

I've come to the conclusion that I am 100% certified crazy. Here is an evaluation tool for yourself to see if you pass the test or not:

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."
-Steve Jobs

This craziness I realized is what has come to drive me forward, it gives me meaning to my day, and most importantly has given me the ability to love life. I mean, isn't it remarkable to think that with just one conscious thought, decision, or act, we can choose to make our world better-here and now-helping another human or animal breathe easier? And to have this opportunity and privilege on a daily, hourly, minute to minute basis- is in and of itself an absolute miracle.

And sometimes it is so easy to do - complimenting someone, donating $10 to a charity, encouraging advice to a friend, helping a friend network into a new opportunity or experience, the gift of time spent with someone, a meaningful conversation that brings new knowledge, etc.

But as of late, here in the country of Honduras, it has also has become a great source of struggle for me. I am realizing now-more than ever-the Himalayan sized mountain of a challenge that exists to create real sustainable developmental change in poor countries. Its so hard to even identify and agree upon what is development? Is it a better economy? Is it having stuff in your house or shoes on your feet?

No-

For me it is having your basic needs met, having all possibilities open to you, being able to bring dignity into your own life by finding meaning for it, and to experience all forms of love (of self, other beings, and the world). This must be encompassed by a world that reaches to exist without discrimination and violence.

The one thing that almost always can keep me going is the extraordinary capacity we have as human beings to feel other's pain. Empathy. It is this experience of having this shared feeling, and knowing that I am an actor in the world that excites and fills my life. We all are connected, participate, and contribute to either the positive or negative energy in the world. (whether we consciously moralize about it or not)

So its time- here and now. It takes courage but we must as individuals moralize, decide, and act with consciousness inorder to take ownership of our life.

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."
-William James

If our world is to be healed by human efforts, an awakening to a life of meaning with love and compassion is our only hope.