Voice of Ukraine

From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 481):

Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city.
Psalm 31:21

Over these past 16 months, we are often overwhelmed with the feeling that we are not doing enough. We desperately want to help bring liberation and victory to Ukraine, but we often feel helpless or useless and then overcome with guilt.

When it happens to me, I remind myself of the quote I saw years ago: “As one person, I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person.”And that’s what we should focus on — changing the world one person at a time.
Parents and teachers who invest in the new generation of people — not just Ukrainians, we need a world of stable new leaders with a healthy worldview and good values.
Medical workers, especially paramedics working on the frontlines — they see what an incredible difference they make in a matter of minutes.
All utility workers whose heroism we saw throughout the first weeks of the full-scale war (garbage pickup teams following their route around our neighborhood in Kyiv on February 24 as the first missiles were coming at Kyiv) and the challenging winter months when Russia wanted us to end up in a blackout.
Farmers and even small family vegetable gardens that help provide people with food, even if it’s only enough for one family and a neighbor.
Postal workers and delivery services who help provide for those in need, even if they are just doing their job.
People who pay taxes and purchase items produced locally help our economy stay alive.
Publishing houses, artists, writers, and photographers who nourish and foster our souls when we desperately seek beauty amid the devastation.

I can continue this endless list of people whose input might seem inconspicuous yet should never be underestimated. With them holding up the home front, our defenders and volunteers are able to gain our victory on the battlefield.

Remember, each one of us is a world changer. Let’s be aware of the world we want to create.

My today’s thoughts were inspired by a photo from the Zaporizhzhia region. A man and his three grandchildren were releasing fish into the river after it was trapped on dry land after the Kakhovka reservoir leaked out after the destruction of the dam. This simple act of kindness has definitely made a significant change for the fish, the young hearts helping it, and those who saw this picture.