What the world needs now isn't another iThing

It seems that every time that I go the library to return some books, I end up leaving with more than I came.

Anyhow, picked up a few, including a compilation of short essays called 100 Words, edited by William Murtha, founder of the Global Visionaries Project.

The book had a short quote on "What the World Needs Now" by Elizabeth Watson:

ONE THING the world needs now is people who can tolerate ambiguity, people who are challenged, not threatened by the state of the world. I want to suggest a few things such maturity might require.

First, do not seek security in things, nor yet in status. The care of possessions, and position, is time- consuming and energy-consuming, and they can be taken from you by a thief in the night, by a fire in the night, by a change in political fortunes, by any numbers of disasters. Whatever security you have lies in yourself.

Henceforth I ask not good fortune. I myself am good fortune.

If you understand yourself, both your strengths and limitations, If you like the person you are, if you acquire coping skills through experience, if you are not too encumbered, and if you know- inwardly- that disaster cannot ultimately overcome you, then you have gone a long way to maturity. You will be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Second, don't rest In intellectual security, for your philosophy and the knowledge on which it rests are likely to become obsolete. Wisdom is not amassing facts....

Third, the only real security in the end is the love we have given and the love we have received. All else can be taken from us. So pour out your love and friendship and do not hoard it ... And don't delay or hesitate In standing up to be counted with the oppressed.

Finally, cultivate the light touch. Develop a sense of humor. Learn to light up a room with joy when you enter. Accept the challenge of our chaotic and dangerous word with a sense of adventure, of gratitude that our time is now.

Hopefully the book has further spots of inspiration that can push me closer to taking real action.  I'm trying and always have it in the back of mind but need pushes every so often to get it to the front of my mind.