In this seemingly cynical world that we live in, it's amazing how ignorant people really can be. I am ignorant.
I will not sit here and pretend to be the poster boy for all things that represent productivity or goodness. I ultimately and honestly confess to being ignorant about numerous things.
On the other hand, I do think that there are lapses in and throughout the day that I see the world perhaps as it should be seen. Judging on my grades, I think that a lot of these times are inevitably, during class. Some may consider these lapses as a type of day dreaming, but I like to think that just maybe it is the time when the wool has been lifted off of my eyes, and I am actually awake.
My examples are small, because for the most part I usually think locally, of self. That's primarily what I think about - myself.
Not solely of course, but a huge chuck of my life has been spent on thinking about me. Unfortunately shallow, but true.
This is such a downfall in society, because I am not alone in my shallowness. It seems that a lot of us only think of ourselves, or make ourselves number one of that big mental list of importance.
What can I do for me? What can I get out of this? How can I benefit from this? Will this improve my image? How can I get more attention?
Basically, we all stop there. I should do more. You should do more. If everyone did a little more, or decreased the amount of things they did when they were putting themselves first, it seems quite possible that we would not have as many of the problems that are out there that we deal with daily.
Maybe if we reached out and helped someone homeless or starving, and saw first hand what that person was going through, we'd be a little more sympathetic or have a better understanding of why we read in the paper that they were arrested for stealing food.
They were perhaps just trying to survive. However, we label them a thief, and cast them out.
The strange things about people is that we get so angry when something goes wrong in society, or we are so grief stricken when we read about people starving or dying and we feel so bad for them.
What are we doing to help them? Do you think that you are so insignificant that your contribution, regardless of what it was, would amount to nothing? If you helped just one person, you've changed.
You've changed your life, you've changed their life, and you just might feel a hell of a lot better about yourself.
What will it take for people to stop talking about making changes and start making changes? If everyone did that though, we wouldn't pick up the George-Anne and read about people like Josh Adler who pours hours and hours of his time into volunteer work for the GSU and Statesboro community.
However, people aren't motivated to go above and beyond the call of duty, and that's why we hail Josh in the paper, because he's doing what we should be doing. That's why I consider him a great person, and I've never even met the guy.
You want to know something though? That's what you could be. That's what I could be. If we just tried, that's what we could ALL be. Again, I ask. What will it take for us to get off our butts?
I do believe that people are ultimately good at heart, but often assume that someone else will always be there to pick up the pieces of the puzzle that we choose not to fix or help with ourselves. This is the case for the most part.
So, that's my challenge to you. It can be on a large scale or a small one, but just do something. Do something good for someone else.
Hold a door open for someone who is carrying tons of books. Help a friend get home after partying too much.
Visit a nursing home, and talk to someone there, and find out they are a lot more than just an old person. Be a shoulder to lean on. Be there when someone needs you the most.
Listen to someone else's story. There are tons of people out there that you see every single day, and you've never said hey or heard their story.
Maybe you've passed judgment on these people too. So, find out the real story. The story through their eyes.
You'll make their day, and hey you might find a friend for life by just reaching out and helping someone. Imagine that.
So, go ahead. Do something good for someone else, and prove to me, if you won't do it for yourself, that you aren't ignorant nor are you lazy, but ready to accept a little more responsibility in you life.
Come on, do it, prove me wrong.
