There is no question that we live in a corrupt world. Poverty, politics, war, financial crises, death, and controversy plague the world we live in. Racism, an act that for so long has been deemed inhumane is slowly making a comeback. The rights of women, while clearly improved, are still not always accepted. We live in a world where crime is inevitable. Divorce is almost considered to be the 'norm.' Education is no longer a top priority for so many of our nation's youth.
While I can agree that our world is a scary place at times, it is my inherent belief that living in fear will never promote the happiness God has always wanted for us.
In making peace with the fact that our world will never be 100% ideal, I asked myself what I can do to help improve the world so many people have given up on.
I've come up with a short list that I intend to follow. I urge my friends and family to join in with me.
1. Be the change
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." One of my all time favorite quotes. But what does it mean? We can't expect life to change for us. We as a society need to make strides towards changing the things that weigh us down. Have a dream? Chase it.
2. Choose Wisely
So long as God's plan has us on this Earth, we have the choice to wake up in the morning and be positive, or we have the choice to wake up and be judgmental or negative. In waking up and choosing to be happy and positive that day, we are already erasing some negativity from the world around us.
3. Forgive and Forget
I am guilty in regards to holding grudges. When I am upset, I sometimes have a difficult time getting over the things people have wronged me with. However, it is a goal of mine to start forgiving those who have hurt me. When we forgive others, we are making amends with the things that have hurt us in the past and are paving the way to make them better.
4. Spare the Judgements
We will never agree with some of the things others believe in. However, when we can accept the flaws we see in others, we have an easier time finding the things about them that are beautiful. It's hard to pull meaning out of a book that is only read through chapter 2. Don't judge a book by its cover. Bask in the pages and find what provides meaning to you.
5. Never Settle
Never settle for less than you deserve. If you have a goal, what is there to stop you? Fight for your passions. Reap the rewards that come from them. Wake up every single morning with the mindset that you're going to make today better than yesterday.
Nobody is perfect. I'm definitely not perfect. But I can't help but imagine a kind of world that is so full of passion, love, dreams, and peace. While this kind of perfect life will never exist, we can make the best of our "corrupt" world by finding the beauty in all of its cracks.
