“Now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good” – John Steinbeck
There are times in life when everything seems to be going wrong; whether it be a death in the family, a job loss, a recent bout of depression, or even just your favorite shampoo being discontinued. There are always things that make life seem just a little too overwhelming.
Recently, I’ve been thinking about this idea of how life is just too heavy sometimes, like there is not a strong enough person to hold all these earthly feelings and emotions. These thoughts have been triggered due to the growing violence, and hatred, throughout our world. Every time one turns on the TV, there is another tragedy being exploited by the media.
It can almost seem like there is no place free from the chains of ignorance, violence, and hatred
This has been proven at least partially true through the recent terrorist attacks that have shocked the world, from Orlando to Turkey, people are so filled with hatred that they are willing to do the most unthinkable acts known to man. During these times of unprecedented violence, there are multiple courses of action that the people of the world can take.
The people can get angry, they can let their anger fill up every hateful word and thrust it upon every Muslim, Gay person, or immigrant that they come upon. These words can become the new weapon of choice, the preferred method to alienate entire races from ourselves.
Some politicians would like the people to believe that this is what needs to happen for there to be affective change. It is our job as human beings to not let those lies laced with prejudices to invade our character, and to stand with open arms with our brothers and sisters who are in pain.
That is the second course of action; to understand and to love. Recently, I was talking to my dad about how loving those who do wrong is one of the most hardest things to do. But this is what we as a people need to do, we need to understand that there are people in pain and hurting and feeling vulnerable to the violence of the world.
The world will not heal if we do not all try to heal it, together.
It is easy to believe that this whole world is a terrible, evil filled place. It is easy to believe that the people who are designed to protect us have failed, that no one is safe and there is no point in being kind or generous. It is easy to become apathetic, and to not care about the fellow man.
But if these horrific events have taught us anything, it is that every good moment should be appreciated. That every act of kindness should be valued and treasured, and that it is our job to pass that act along.
I challenge every person who has felt like they have lost their faith in humanity to do one nice thing for someone else, to go out and seek the beauty that engulfs this world. And slowly, the world will become a good place.
