In a multi-ethnic context,
“Nothing May Be Better Than Something”
In a pragmatic world, this statement is anathema. But in the absence of knowing how to truly serve a different community, demographic, or group of people, I’ve learned over the last decade that sometimes it is better to wait until you have done your homework before doing something that may do more damage than good. And by “better” I mean more loving, more honoring, more wise, and more humble. And sometimes doing nothing requires greater faith than taking action.
By doing nothing I’m not talking about being controlled by fear. I’m talking about having a healthy capacity of self-control and restraint both personally and organizationally in order to ensure truly serving actions. The alternative is jumping in blind assuming that something is better than nothing. That’s the justification I’ve heard more than a few times before launching in unprepared to a different type of context. I’ve had that justification myself when I’ve anxiously wanted to feel “useful” or want to see things happen. When this is our defense for our actions, we should take a breath and think twice. Maybe something is better than nothing. Often it is and that’s what pioneering is all about! But sometimes it’s not when attitudes and methodology aren’t appropriate to the situation.
It’s worth making a distinction here between grassroots activity and organizational functioning. While humility and learning is necessary in all contexts, failure in grass roots situations is necessary to a risk taking, hope-filled, and innovative growth. This learning point relates primarily to organizational life, functioning, and partnerships. There are times where it would be better if we just listened and learned and didn’t take action – for trying to do something frequently undermines the listening and learning. “Doing something” needs just as much listening and learning as doing. If that posture isn’t there, best holster the ambition for impact until it is.
There was a blog I read over a year ago, shortly after I first wrote this, on this general idea that I thought captured exactly what I have learned here and it was called “The Grace to Do Nothing” by David Fitch. It’s worth reading at some point: http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/the-grace-to-do-nothing-on-social-justice-in-the-neighborhood/
Do you have the grace to do nothing sometimes?
How do you resist the temptation to act too fast when it can lead to damaging others and trust building efforts in community?
