Faith

Last night I had a conversation with someone whom I thought had a great deal of compassion for people.  We discussed fuel technology (not that I know a great deal about this).  It even became a topic of discussion because I'm very interested in steering my career towards intellectual property law, including patents.  I have a firm belief that the way the law is set up now is very anti-productive towards creating a better life and home for us all and that we need to rethink our patent laws.  In particular, I believe that many fuel-saving measures are tied up in expensive patents that oil companies bought from their inventors.  I feel that I would like to help overcome some of these crippling laws in order to benefit society.
The conversation took an interesting turn - this lady told me that people wouldn't change even if they were presented a proper argument on how fuel savings would help the environment.  Then, of course, I told her that people are concerned with money and money equals gas and the less gas they use, the more dollar they get.  It's simple math, really.  She stifled the conversation with a simple "I don't have faith in people.  They won't do that."  And when I attempted to counterpoint, she turned her body away from me and said "I've been around a lot longer than you; I know - you don't."  And she walked away.

Now, this whole conversation has bothered me all day.  I feel very strongly that if you don't have faith in people, then what is the point of doing anything for anyone else, except for your own selfish needs?  This makes me wonder about what kind of woman she really is - actually, perhaps, quite selfish.  There really was no point in arguing with someone who had that ignorant of a viewpoint and couldn't consider another view.  You meet up with brick-wall type people all the time and the only thing you can do is bow out gracefully and move along. 

I find it interesting that my topic on faith comes on the heels of what has been a very rough week.  Sick daughter, missing work and classes, hoping to god that I don't get sick too!  And, well, I've rolled with it, all this week, most entirely by myself, except for last night when my father relieved me of my duties for a few hours. 
I woke up feeling quite sorry for myself - how I hate that I'm not married - how so many other people have it so much easier than I do - why don't people see that I'm working hard?  Why can't someone give me a nod? 
I thought and thought about this issue and realized that I cannot rely on other people for my well-being.  It is the faith within myself that I have to stand by - whether that's in the intellectual property law area or the faith in myself of being a good mom, despite the circumstances.  Well, I survived the week, in tact, barely, and I see the strength I have within me.  I have a renewed sense of faith in myself, in all that I do.  I don't have to draw comparisons to other people to see that I'm a strong person - my goals are slowly being met and I think that while this is a very personal entry, it's very relevant.  Finding strength within yourself and then having the courage to embrace that strength...and following up with having faith in your strength and courage....allows you to move forward.

Onward and Upward! (Have I already used that?)