What Happened to Idealism ?

Yesterday I listened to a Donovan CD. I know this is dating me and showing my age but there was a purpose in listening to his music. When in my youth I had listened to him sing such songs as Mellow Yellow or Hurdy Gurdy Man, I felt inspired by those rather silly songs. Within the hippy melodies and the "tripped out lyrics" there were feelings of wanting to make the world a better place. There was youthful idealism and a serious disdain for apathy. A call to make the world a better place. I was so "into" social injustice in those days and in worked for it.
In this time of reshaping of my life, the one thing that came to me is that I have grown rather apathetic through time. Sad to say but true. I seem to be quite content to sit in my own little world and yes, perhaps blog and that seems to extend me a bit but for the most part, the world goes round without much interference from me or much concern other than the rather casual comments like, "oh my that is too bad" or "wow we have sunk to an all time low in the world". Comments, just passing comments. No action applied.
I am not sure what happens to this youthful idealism that we once so proudly carried about. I remember thinking my parents were "plastic" was the word I used. Meaning they just were going through the motions and didn't really care about social issues etc.
I think I have reached that "plastic" stage. Or have I ?
I am writing about it so maybe I am not. Maybe in redefining myself and wishing to stretch and expand, just maybe some of that idealism will come back. If you think about the really great people in life, the ones not with riches or fame but the Mother Teresa's of the world, the one thing they maintained was an idealism that mankind is worth redeeming, worth fighting for. When I am dead and gone I don't want to be remembered for just the pretty dishes I had or the quilts I made. We should make an impact on others by making their lives better. That is what I want for a legacy.
I was thinking yesterday that so many of us know lots of things, we know how to cook or sew or quilt. We know how to take a proper tea or how to tell a story. I was talking to the little children over the fence from next door while I was hanging clothes up. I saw the mother there on the phone, the children seeking attention and not getting it, they were pestering me, but were they really?
I came in the house feeling a bit uncomfortable that I have never had the little girl over to tea or had her come over to bake cookies. I never showed the little boy how to make arrows but told him where to get some sticks that make good ones. I had shown my boys how to do such things. In my mind his parents should do that, but maybe no one showed them how to do that. Maybe I can help.
Can I take up some of that slack and make a difference. Is this idealism being reborn in me ? Maybe. It depends on if I act on such thoughts or just roll them around until they become nothing more than a passing fancy.
When Donovan sang about that "Hurdy Gurdy Man" and how he came singing songs of Love, well maybe, just maybe there was still a timely message in that old song. I don't plan to go about with love beads and bell bottoms and flowers in my hair singing songs of love, but maybe I can be more of a loving person and step outside of my comfort zone.
Think I will plan a tea party, with dolls, teddy bears and a little neighbor girl who longs for just such a time. Its a beginning... think now I will put on my Cat Stevens CD and listen to Peace Train.