taniayong

Why do you wake up in the morning?

There are a number of things that force me out of my comfort-laden sheets in the morning. Yet, with the dawn of the New Year as well as some reading done for the upcoming semester, I’ve re-contemplated this question a few times so I could give a better answer than “because I realize it’s 1:00 pm and I feel gross.”

49 million people in the United States don’t have health insurance.

Often considered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, the situation in Darfur, Sudan has been witness to over 250,000 people killed and over 5 million displaced from their homes.

1.1 billion people live in extreme poverty. 8 million people die each year because they are too poor to survive.

In the midst of depravity, despair, and desolation throughout the world in which we live, it’s really quite easy to become overwhelmed with sorrow – there are so many in need of so much. It’s also easy to become overwhelmed with cynicism – there’s only so much one person can do.

I think this is why I wake up in the morning – not to be overwhelmed by cynicism or sorrow, but to help others (as well as myself) out of this paralysis.

While I don’t think I have the complete answer yet on how to break out of these grave thoughts, I do know that individuals (with the help of others) have been able to do great things.

William Wilberforce, throughout the mid 17th century, almost single-handedly abolished slavery in England. He started at the age of 21 and devoted his entire political career to this cause. He had various setbacks, yet continued through bad health and no hope to finally see that his cause was worthwhile just a few weeks before his death.

I truly admire this man for what he accomplished, but much more for his dedication and tenacity. He realized that he was at the disposal of something much greater and powerful than himself. Granted Wilberforce embarked WITH fear, doubt, and disappointment, he also embarked with a steadfastness that I hope one day to develop in my life.

"When I consider the magnitude of the subject which I am to bring before the House [. . .] and when I think, at the same time, on the weakness of the advocate who has undertaken this great cause – when these reflections press upon my mind, it is impossible for me not to feel both terrified and concerned at my own inadequacy to such a task.[1]"

Why do you wake up in the morning? Let me know!

[1] William Wilberforce’s 1789 Abolition Speech. [web page]; available from http://www.brycechancarey.com/abolition/wilberforce2.htm accessed 5 October 2005.