Photo by Andreas Øverland

By Liz Chang

I will never know the life that has been unlived in me. Even as I imagine the decisions I could have made differently, those possibilities are not the full extent of what could have been or of what could be. Because at the end of the day, the decisions I make are within my social constructs, within what I have been taught is available to me, and within the limits of my opportunities and risk-taking fears.

I’d like to think I found my way around some systemic barriers by taking on a profession in which there are few Asian American women. But ask me about the number of times I spoke out during my graduate classes about social injustice and systemic barriers in my field and in the approaches to therapeutic work with diverse clients. I’ll say I can hardly remember if I did at all.

And how about advocacy in general for the unlived life of others who are oppressed, marginalized or stigmatized in our society? Am I putting in the work to understand the history, contexts, and progression of social justice issues?

In reflection, perhaps a lack of engagement in these issues can also be a form of the unlived life perpetuated by doubts and fears. Will I make a difference? Can I voice my concerns? How much effort is it going to take?

Here is a piece I wrote a while ago that I find very relevant to this topic:

We need somebody to please disturb the peace—
the tranquility keeps me from ease
when injustices silence the righteous voices
that shout in unity for justice to wake from its sleep

Take the truth of generosity and
Give all that’s been stashed away
Take the truth of forgiveness and
Give to all the grace to live
With opportunity, a space to be
Who they’ve been made to be
Freely and abundantly,
Grateful for the gift of joy
For the prosperity of the soul
Rich with faith, hope, and love

For we know we are part of a grand story
Life in eternity, a time for us to receive
The wisdom of the holy, the glory of the Almighty

We live and we learn
We live and we learn
We live and we learn

We’ve got to persevere
We’ve got to endure
We’ve got to run this race
We’ve got places to go

May the Spirit of God lead us with strength.

Liz Chang resides in New York City and is a family therapist at an intensive outpatient treatment center for drug addiction. She is a License Marriage and Family Therapist and graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a Masters of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is an aspiring photographer and is a cat mom to Instagram cat @bennyslyf. She and her husband enjoy going for walks and exploring new neighborhoods, parks, and restaurants.