East Shore Friends,
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman
As I have been reflecting on the coming new year–The different ways ‘25 is used in rhetoric and branding. I have been trying to build some sort of framework for goal setting for myself as I try to live my values. I sat this week, pen and paper, trying to map this out. Two things came together for me.
The first is about New Year’s Resolutions: We all know that New Year’s resolutions often fail, yet newly purchased gym memberships often are often used if the gym is in our daily activities–along our daily commute, or in sight of a regular destination. Proximity impacts our willingness to act, to do, to follow through with goals.
And, the second one was Howard Thurman’s words echoing in my mind.
His challenge to us is to live authentically and vibrantly in service to the world is a challenge we all should aspire towards. And, formulating the actual question takes a minute: How do we truly come alive in ways that move us one step closer to personal and social justice goals? In a time when hate and oppression seem relentless, our aliveness must ignite meaningful action that bridges the chasm between privilege and marginalization.
Each of us occupies a unique position within systems of privilege and marginalization. Perhaps we have access to resources, platforms, or networks that grant us power, while simultaneously sharing community with those who experience systemic inequities. Thurman’s invitation to “come alive” is a call to leverage this duality: to use our proximity to privilege as fuel for advocacy and to use our closeness to the marginalized as a compass for empathy and equity.
To take one step closer to justice, we must first examine where we stand. Are we using our voice to amplify the voices of those silenced? Are we redirecting resources to those who lack access? Coming alive means recognizing that our actions can disrupt cycles of oppression and build systems of liberation.
Resisting oppression is a marathon, not a sprint. But meaningful steps can be taken every day:
Leverage Privilege for Good: If you have privilege, use it. Speak up in spaces where others cannot. Advocate for equitable policies in your workplace, school, or community. Share your resources—time, finances, or networks—with those leading grassroots efforts for justice.
Center Marginalized Voices: Resisting hate and oppression requires us to listen and follow the lead of those directly impacted. Whether through supporting community-led organizations, amplifying the stories of the marginalized, or stepping back when necessary, we ensure that justice is co-created, not imposed.
Commit to Anti-Oppression Practices: Personal transformation fuels systemic change. Commit to anti-racism, gender equity, and inclusivity in daily interactions. Educate yourself and others on dismantling harmful stereotypes, policies, and practices.
Cultivate Community: Thurman understood the power of shared humanity. Join or build communities that prioritize justice, spiritual growth, and liberation. Together, we can sustain each other for the long road ahead.
Love Is the Center
At the heart of these efforts lies an undeniable truth: Love is the center. It is the foundation of all justice work, the force that compels us to see humanity in one another and to act with compassion and courage. Love, as a transformative power, rejects apathy and fear. It is the active resistance to hate and the guiding light that leads us to build relationships rooted in equity and respect.
Hate thrives in isolation, fear, and apathy. Coming alive is a radical act of love—not a passive emotion but an active force that resists oppression and builds just relationships. Love compels us to speak against injustice, to confront oppressive systems, and to hold ourselves accountable. It reminds us that no step toward justice is too small to matter.
As we move forward, let us ask: What makes us come alive? What is the next step we can take—individually and collectively—to dismantle oppression and build justice? Each step, no matter how small, matters. When combined with others, it creates a path toward collective liberation.
The world does not need more spectators to injustice. It needs people who are alive with purpose, courage, and love. By embracing this aliveness, we move one step closer to a world where justice is not an aspiration but a reality.
Love is the center. Let us step forward on this journey together!
Happy New Year,
Rev. Will