The Screwtape Letters – C. S. Lewis (1942)
The passage goes on to say that the more often the feelings without actions then the less one is able to ever act, but I am not convinced that that is completely true. I think that maybe although there are feelings for something the opportunity to act is not present.
I am passionate about animal welfare, about the protection of our planet and the humanity of mankind but, although I do what is possible there is always so many more atrocities throughout the world that I am powerless to do anything about. That fact does not stop me from feeling strongly about them, or from giving me the impetus to physically do something about it if the opportunity arose.
I march with the gay pride whenever I am in the vicinity of such occasion, however I do not go out of my way to be part of every rally. This does not mean that because I simply support from afar then my contribution to the cause is any less worthy. I do my bit towards not contributing to global warming, to the pollution of the planet and to ensuring I do all I can to sustain wildlife, but I do not jump on any bandwagon or throw money in the direction of the corporate organisation that proclaim to be ardent activists.
I practice what I feel in other ways. I feed the birds in my garden and make sure they have fresh water, I have a group of foxes that visit and one that is resident which all get fed every night, and I not only don’t drop litter but I will pick it up and dispose of it properly. As to the other things, the bigger things, the things that I feel strongly about but am as of this moment powerless to actually do anything … I am a firm believer in the phrase passive-aggressive and so willingly sign petitions and offer what meagre support I can that is within my power.