Now Is the Time To Be the Change You Want in the World

You would have had to have been living under a rock to ignore the rapidly shifting landscape of our world these days. Every morning, I find myself waking up and dreading what I’ll see on the news as we struggle with stories of political turmoil, environmental destruction, and an increasing lack of empathy and kindness among us. I feel like I am caught in a vortex of division and discord which is leaving me reeling as to what all this means to us now and for the generations to come. 

The Political Turmoil 

Political tensions are reaching new heights. It’s no longer about jointly finding the best solutions to societal problems but have transitioned to becoming bitter, polarized battles where winning at all costs takes precedence over the common good.  

Trusted agreements that once stood strong are now being broken and we find ourselves more divided than ever, as ideological and country lines become sharper and less forgiving. Conversations that once allowed room for disagreement and healthy debate have now turned into hostile confrontations. People are retreating into echo chambers, where their views are validated and reinforced, and any opposing perspective is not just disagreed with, but vilified. This fracture in society is not just a temporary issue; it seems to be deepening, and it is incredibly concerning for the future of global cooperation. 

The Environmental Crisis 

On top of all this political instability, the world is facing an environmental crisis that continues to accelerate. Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is happening right now. From devastating wildfires to unprecedented heatwaves and floods, no one seems immune. 

But despite overwhelming evidence from scientists, the response from many world leaders has been inadequate at best. The fact that we’re even still questioning whether climate change actually exists just boggles my mind. 

As we battle whether this risk is real or not, I can’t help but feel for the generations behind us. They will ultimately inherit the planet and all it's problems based on the decisions we make today.  

A Lack of Kindness and Empathy 

But what concerns me the most, is the lack of kindness and empathy we show each other. It seems that we have lost touch with what it means to be compassionate, understanding, and patient with one another. 

Online platforms, rather than serving as spaces for connection and collaboration, have become breeding grounds for hate, misinformation, and toxicity. Emulating the behaviours of leaders and driven by anonymity, many people now seem to be emboldened to say things they would never dream of saying face-to-face. 

Gone is listening. Gone is conversation. Gone is compromise.  

I believe this erosion of kindness and empathy is a very dangerous trend. It prevents us from building the kind of society where we genuinely care for each other's well-being. Instead, I believe we are now seeing growing intolerance, prejudice, and a lack of concern for those who are suffering.  

Exhausted and exasperated by it all, I am finding myself retreating. Feeling uncertain as to what I should do next. I find myself backing away and floating in feelings of deep concern and anxiety for our world’s shared future.  

But We Cannot Give Up - Future Generations Are Counting On Us 

But as much as I would love to pretend none of this is happening, I realize that the decisions and actions we take today not only affect ourselves but have significant ramifications to the future generations that follow. 

It’s forcing me to ask myself the tough questions. 

What kind of world do we want to live in? If we continue down this path of division and destruction, what will our future world look like?  

I decided that the world that I would like to live in is one that chooses kindness over cruelty, empathy over indifference, and collaboration over division. It’s a world that actively protects our planet and provides support to those who may need it. 

As I reflected on these thoughts, I felt my feelings of being overwhelmed finding their way back into my consciousness. I felt a strong desire to just “ostrich” myself with the hope this would all just go away, but I realized I can’t. There is just too much to lose. I then remembered a quote from Gandhi; 

As I reflected on this statement, I realized that if I want something to change, I then have to do something about it. I have the responsibility to stand up and defend these values that I want when they are not present. I have a personal responsibility to show up, stand up and speak up – with both my words and my actions.  

Now is the time. The stakes have never been higher.