There was a time that I used to dream about this wonderful place in which I would feel perfect. There would be more happiness than sadness and more gain than loss; there would be understanding instead of condemnation and everyone would come together for what was right.
I was truly fed up with the world in which we live. I looked around and saw a world infested with greed, hatred, and self-loathing. People drove by others in need without thinking twice and we didn't give up our spare change in fear that they would only ask for more. We didn't trust, because the person alongside the road with the beat-up looking jacket might have a gun. We hear stories on the news not only of terrible accidents, but of human caused catastrophes.
It would be so easy to just try to forget that world exists and dive into your own life, whether that be work, the digital world, or something else entirely. However, that's not exactly a real option. I know plenty of people choose this tactic, but does it really accomplish anything?
So if you are feeling just as crumby about the world as I was awhile ago, then let me tell you about what I found.
I didn't discover magic, or a hidden riddle. There is no button that will make the world good. There is however, a mentality that can change everything.
There isn't much of a chance that the violence of the world will end. The deaths aren't going to disappear and the people we attempt to drive by without meeting eyes are still going to be there for awhile.
So the best advice I can give it don't ignore the bad things in the world, and embrace the good. Maybe we can't change reality, but we can change the way we view it.
Instead of thinking (or dwelling) about the harshness and cruel mess of reality try to remember the utterly amazing things that are also there.
There are children who can create the sweetest music and bring a room to tears. People all across the world begin organizations in order to make a difference (and it is a pretty good idea to help them make a go of that). We have families and loved ones, or random strangers around us that are there for us and help us (I'm not saying walk across the street and ask the shady character under the awning if they want to come over for dinner, but there are safe places and professionals that we can talk to). The world came together to donate for different challenges. Individuals battle and knock down cancer and other illnesses.
Maybe you don't think that's enough to make the world a good place, but maybe it is enough to make you consider that it could be far worse. People are trying to make a difference in the world. So the most important attribute that the world still has is hope. Again, there is HOPE, and nothing can take that away. There will always be hope.
"…don't ignore the bad things in the world, and embrace the good."
Hope is what changes reality. It's what allows you to see the negative and allow the positive to breathe life. This is what allows the world to change and grow. There will always be bad, but as long as we have hope there will always be something worth waking up for in the morning.
Hope is what changes reality. It's what allows you to see the negative And allow the positive to breathe in life.
I stopped looking at the negatives because without changed my mentality. I stopped dwelling on all that was wrong with the world and felt the awe of what was so right about it.
There are so many wonderful things in this life that we allow to pass us by because we are too caught up in turmoil. So take a second to stop and breathe, then pick up a new perspective and take a closer look at the world. You just might find something you haven't seen in years, or something completely new.
"…pick up a new perspective and take a closer look at the world."