Peace is not merrily a goal that we seek, but the means by which we arrive at that goal. ~ M. L. King
I have always had an innate feeling that I have a very big role to play in the changing world around me. Of course my dreams are big and majestic and the only question that arises when I dream these dreams is ‘WHY NOT?’. Oh, my parents could give you a million reasons why not. They are good at giving these reasons, not because they are bad people, but simply because they were always brought down as well, or their dreams differ and they misunderstand us, or simply because they want to protect us from getting hurt too badly when our dreams do not realize. But when you have a dream thSo this is what I know, what I have researched and found to be true in my lifetime. Some things you just need to know and others you need to do in order to see what I have seen. In the country were I live, all resources are going towards humanity and setting right a stage of APARTHEID – jip, you guessed it I live in sunny South Africa. It is not that this aim is bad in any way; it just sometimes feels like the path to reconciliation is another battle. And resources in the other areas in the world that need aid are very low, for instance on environment. In a country were it is becoming increasingly harder for everyday people to look their neighbours in the eye, or to help a person that is stranded by the side of life’s road, we are losing touch with our fellow beings, we are losing sight of our values and we are losing hope and forgetting the wonder of the human touch. I love my country and I know we will come out on top, but the battle is a hard one to fight. Whether you are white and you hated because of it, or whether you are black and hated because of that, the fighting heart has the same aim… : To make a change. I just hope to reach all hearts while there is still a flicker of desire to be change.
I may not be able to see these changes, but I know that my actions will ripple into eternity and be what I believe them to be. I will make a stand for the values of truth, honesty, dignity, nobility, justice, mercy, grace, tolerance and persistence in all human beings. I will make a stand for those that can not: the rainforest whose ancient souls cry to me in my sleep; the endangered species of dolphins, whales, rhinos, leopards, (and these are only the big ones) etc.; for all species on the brink of extinction as well as the souls of those that are no longer with us; for the hungry, the poor, the uneducated, the homeless and the abandoned – young and old alike; for a place with clean air to breath and refreshing water to drink; against ignorance and lack of resources; against poverty, both of the soul and the body. I aim for a world were effects are considered rather than profit, where long-term is researched instead of quick-fixes, where our children are considered with every line and image that goes onto broadcast, where the future is a reality and not some far off probability. I aim for a world that will tolerate differences and use love to heal, where prevention is better than cure and nothing is ruled by our greed.
In this world, people may rejoice in the success of their neighbour and then rejoice again because he has the same chances to build his life. Children will be seen as positive contributors to the world instead of future providers or personal property. Children will not have the weight of trying to fix past problems created by elders, but will be allowed to build a future. Optimism will be the order of the day because the sun will no longer be harmful and the air will be fresh. Families will have time to spend together and work will be done close to home instead of commuting for a few extra R’s. Homes will be smaller to provide for a simpler life and children will be indulged in what is truly worthwhile and taught what is truly wrong and right instead of fearing some adult wrath, whilst they play joyfully and safely in the meadows of tomorrow.
My actions are small, but my heart is huge. In the words of a song ‘I am bigger than my body gives me credit for!’. Watch me make this happen even if it is only a little bit each day, even if I can only bring trust back to someone’s life, make one person care about a tree, teach my daughter that she can truly follow her bliss and always have my support, show someone the value of an unexpected hug or help them to smile at their neighbour... how small these actions may seem, but they only need to affect one person to ripple into eternity and to show everyone in this world that there is always someone who loves you and is willing to help, that everyone has a place where they can be safe, remind people that peace is indeed possible if we just take it person by person…. The immediate results may be small, but the pay-off is going to be more than worth-it.
This is my dream. This is my life’s work. This is what I will work to achieve. I am confident, motivated and I know this is going to happen. I am a WORLD-CITIZEN and this is my manifesto!
What we do in this life echoes into eternity - Gladiator
