Change Your World

We live in violent times. When we turn on the news and are inundated with horrific events, it feels like a punch in the gut. We feel ordinary, helpless, and without hope. Some become angry while others spiral downward in various levels of depression.

One person can’t change the world, right? So we vent. We rant. We play the blame game. There may be truth in those words, but I doubt many with an opposing viewpoint will say, “Oh. Wow. You’re right.” I gotta believe sending out all that negativity, cursing, hatred, and frustration makes us feel worse. Without being aware of it, this powerlessness can spill over into other aspects of our lives.

Instead, I have a proposition for you. 

Each day you are presented with choices. With a little self-control and patience, you can shift the way you react in your own world.

I challenge you to take all that negative energy and funnel it in a positive way. It’s the holiday season. It shouldn’t be hard. In one trip to the mall you will be faced with all kinds of opportunities to make a difference.

How? 

Through expectations. You are faced with challenges every day. Watch for them. When they appear, look them in the eye and say, “Ha! I’ve been waiting for you.” Then react with the knowledge that it may be ridiculously hard to suck it up and be kind and tolerant in certain situations, but you are a one-person army. Think before attacking. A reasonable voice is less polarizing. You can either forge ahead and take on daily battles with respect or fly your angry flag in defeat and ruin someone else’s day. It’s up to you.

There will be victories and there will be losses. We are human. We overreact. We have to pick ourselves up off the battlefield, learn from our mistakes and move forward.

We have a choice.

We can either pollute our own little world or fill it with a positive outlook and love.

Patience, compassion, empathy and tolerance are all we have in our arsenal, but it’s all we need. We can change how we live. We will be happier. Everyone we come in contact with will be happier too.

You have the strength, the courage and the experience to take on this challenge. You can be extraordinary. Do it.

Change your world.

I prefer the second sunset, don’t you?

If you agree with me, share it. Maybe someone else will benefit by changing their world.