It’s no secret: the world is overrun with crime, poverty, and constant struggles. But it can be a place of joy, peace, and hope- a place where dreams are created instead of crushed.  

     I know I sound overly  optimistic, and that’s ok. I believe in the power of potential.

     But potential will only take humanity so far. It has to be followed by determination and action.

       You can not simply THINK things into existence.  Making changes requires effort.

     Once upon a time, there was a lot of good in the world. Kids used to be outside playing without fear of being hit by a stray bullet or being kidnapped. The evening news was not always filled with the faces of those murdered the night before. People used to sit and have home-cooked meals with their families and stayed involved in each other’s lives. 

     But those things are not the norm now. 

      We have become so consumed by making our lives appear grand; however, the reality is that a rotten apple may look good on the outside, but when you bite into it, it’s still rotten.

     So, what is possible?

      A world where girls are not so consumed by body image and boys do not always have to be strong. A world where our differences are celebrated instead of shunned. A world where we are safe, happy, and loved. And that begins with one simple thing: You.

     We all have a choice to make. If we start to appreciate what is here and now, we will live in the moment rather than try to take a picture of it.  If we stop rushing around, trying to get to the next thing, we won’t be so stressed or so fearful of missing out.

     I get it. It’s easy to get caught up in our own stuff-  paying the bills, running around to a bunch of different things just to say we did them. But when that happens, we also lose sight of who we are, and we start being disrespectful and angry and frustrated and stressed.  People we don’t even know are our victims. The person behind us at the door,  the cashier working at Wawa, the new driver in front of us-  they all become targets of our aggression and unhappiness.

     Instead of making them feel worried, scared, or intimidated, why not make a different choice? Instead of honking, breathe.  Instead of barking at the store clerk, focus on the bigger picture.

     Instead of ignoring people around you, look for the small things and manage them well.  When we make the choice to be more intentional about our own actions, everyone benefits. The result? People show more respect to their elders. Kids can safely walk to a snowball stand without supervision and return safely. Neighbors help their neighbors when they fall on hard times. We talk to strangers without fearing about their intentions. 

    When everyone decides to breathe, we begin to start rooting for each other and wanting others to thrive.  When we start taking a moment to appreciate the beauty around us and inside of us, we become better people.

We each have the capacity to be kind. I am hopeful that the world will become a better place in my lifetime.

     The world may be broken, but if we put in the work together, we can make it better. Maybe it won’t be the way it used to be, but instead it becomes a patchwork of our own creation. A world where we are each proud to be. 

     The world is on a downward slope. If we don’t fix it now, we will be standing in the ruins of our society, a society that’s been overrun by the crimes and hate that we spew so profusely.