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Op/Ed Martha Randolf Carr Happy Easter
Op/Ed Martha Randolf Carr Happy Easter
| Happy Easter |
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| Monday, 29 March 2010 00:00 |
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That’s what happened in 1994 when Nicholas Green, a seven year old from California, was murdered by bandits along an Italian road while on vacation with his parents. The father famously forgave the killers with TV cameras watching and then donated his son’s organs to save seven Italian lives. At the time, organ donation was all but nonexistent in Italy but what came to be known as the Nicholas Effect inspired an entire country to change. The effect, captured in a book of the same name by Nicholas’ father, Reg Green was not simply about inspiring organ donation but the effect of witnessing compassion or forgiveness. Just seeing someone else reach out is enough to change the hearts of those who see the event. It’s the same reason why support groups are so effective when nothing else has worked. When we can see that it’s possible for one, we come to understand we are capable of the same thing and we witness the transformative possibilities. In other words, we want some of that and we see it can be done. That’s the whole point behind Easter. It was a visual sacrifice to show us that forgiveness is possible, regardless of the offense and the payoff is worth the attempts. Change can be a tough nut for most of us, myself included. Without some kind of proof that we won’t ruin everything we’d rather stick to the rut we’re in where we at least know we can handle the downside. However, we then gaze out a window, daydreaming about the life we wish we had, if only we knew how to get it. Take this Easter as an opportunity to set out on that different path and start with a few lessons from Reg Green. First big one is to drop all analyses about what the payoff might be or how it’ll look to others or what it might cost. Whatever the first steps are just do them, if only because they’re the right things to do. Second step is, bring some humility to the game plan and don’t make a big deal about who’s better or worse. None of that matters and is a big Petri dish for resentments of all kinds. Last step is to take every opportunity to be of service without asking, once again, what the payoff is going to be or even if it’s convenient. Just do it. I’m not saying overdo it. There’s a certain amount of grownup reasonableness that comes into it but stretch the boundaries of reasonable and show up to participate without expectations. That is the promise of Easter, fulfilled on a more personal level. Happy Easter everyone. |