“Apathy can be overcome by enthusiasm, and enthusiasm can only be aroused by two things: first, an ideal, which takes the imagination by storm, and second, a definite intelligible plan for carrying that ideal into practice.” ~ Arnold J. Toynbee

What the hell is happening?
Why is everyone waiting on the next generation to fix today’s f#cking problems?
No—Scratch that.
Add yesterday’s problems and the day before that day’s problems too.
Actually, it has been going on for eons, and we must stop making excuses for what has partially been our own fault.

We need to wake up now brothers and sisters!
It may be too late if we wait for tomorrow’s children.

Everyday, new lives are born into our world.
Often, these births are accompanied by feelings of hope for this future generation.
This is so beautiful, but how is this truly working out for us?

What about this next generation?
No, stop.
Think instead about our generation.
We were all someone’s next generation.
How is our generation doing?
Look around and see. . .

Environmental chaos
World-wide human rights violations
Prejudice
Intolerance and hate crimes beyond belief
Unfathomable hunger
Lack of education and adequate health care
Is there a pattern here to be learned from?

We wonder how we came to this current place in time.
Shouldn’t we have learned from history that keeps repeating itself?
Are the majority of us going to live another day turning a blind eye to the state of our world?

We all have intuitive internal compasses for right and wrong and to help guide us on our paths.
Do we not?

It is not that we all must be incredible or take extraordinary measures, but it would be nice to see everyone taking one small step each time it runs across their mind to do so.

Or is that the problem?
Does it not run across the mind of most people to reach out a hand?
To say a kind word?
To try for a moment to slow down enough to understand that which is outside of ourselves?

Do these questions make you squirm?
Because, the current situation of our world depressed the hell out of me.
But wait—There is a solution, and it is much closer than you think!

Look in the mirror.
Yes—it is you!
You are someone’s next generation.

Are you afraid you may not know where to start the healing?
I feel the same way.
You are not alone.

Let’s start with simple kindness.
If there is no kindness, there is no hope for world peace.

Let’s reach out to our fellow man today.
He or she has needed us since yesterday!
Let’s stop building walls that separate us.
Instead, let’s build bridges to reach out to our fellow man.
Let’s put aside the differences of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
Such a beautiful world we could create,
If everyone’s ‘next generation’ started by making one small change today:

Let’s Volunteer.
Learn where different countries are on a map.
Open the door for someone.
Buy a sandwich for a homeless person.
Treat all sentient beings with the dignity they deserve.

Should we be uncomfortable with these thoughts and feelings?
Hell yes. And that is the point.
I am going to personally sit in it and be uncomfortable.
Maybe this is the kick in the ass I need before I can change something—anything real, for the better on this home we all share called earth.
How about you?

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Editor: Emily Bartran

Photo: Howard Lake/Flickr