Working for change can actually bring about change – Jack Layton
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Layton this morning. My image of Jack is not as a politician but as an approachable human being with a sense of humour and a genuine desire to make Canada a better place for all Canadians, starting with the small changes an individual can make. All these qualities are well expressed in this segment from the Rick Mercer Report, posted on YouTube:
Jack was a man who spoke out and fought for issues that he was passionate about. He was also an individual who happened to sometimes use a bicycle for transportation.
Jack left us with a letter (in pdf format on the CBC web site), simply addressed “Dear Friends”. Reading this letter reminds me that Canada is a great democracy, and we have a responsibility to be engaged in maintaining and improving our country, by speaking out in a positive way about the issues that are important to us.
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
