I have watched so many people around me sign their lives away for the almighty dollar. Artistic souls and dreamers working 9 to 5 for the boss man until their dreams have been forgotten – all hope abandoned. Years pass, time flies by, and before they know it they are at the end of their lives and have nothing to show for it other than some material wealth which will eventually rust or be sold. I would like to ask them if that big house was worth it or if their collection of cars comforted them on their death beds?

My father once shared with me the memory of his first job after graduating university. He was in his early 20’s, young and hopeful. He was an artist, a musician, and his life was ahead of him. However my grandmother believed that money, not happiness was the key to a fulfilling life. Unfortunately for my father, he took her advice. With sadness in his eyes, he recalled his first day of work and how on the drive there he was so unhappy and so sick to his stomach that he turned around and drove back home. The next day however he went to work and he has been there, unhappy and bored ever since. Yes his job pays well, and yes it is secure, but it does not make him happy. For 30 years of his life my father has been merely existing, and it will continue being that way until he decides that all the money in the world is not worth it.

It is because of this that I have such a hard time working 9 to 5 jobs, and why despite my happy nature I sometimes find myself lingering in the shadowy areas of depression. I too am merely existing. I too am not living to my fullest. I am however constantly looking for better opportunities and for a way-out, a way to be free and happy. I will not abandon hope and neither should you.

Find your happiness – I believe it is out there. Rekindle the desires of your youth and don’t just exist, but dare to live.

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“Never doubt that a small handful of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world : Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has. ” – Margaret Mead

Last night while watching the tv program ‘What Would You do’ I was extremely moved when I viewed one person after another who was willing to speak out and possibly risk their own safety in order to stand up for someone in need.

On last night’s program a man with down syndrome was working as a bag boy at a local grocery store when one of the shoppers begins to verbally abuse him, calling him names and making fun of his condition. Both the bag boy, shopper and cashier were actors, but no one else in the store knew this. Even though the entire thing was just an act, it was still very difficult for me to watch the poor boy get verbally ripped apart as many shoppers just stood there and did nothing about it. Finally one woman decided she had heard enough and stood up for the guy, threatening to physically take the bully out. Afterward when asked by the host of the show how she felt about the situation, she told him that she was willing to fight for the bag boy, saying ‘ what was the worst thing that could have happened? I might have walked away with a black eye, but at least I would have stood up for someone in need’. She was being the change she wished to see in the world.

It is easy to say that you want peace on earth and for wars to end, or to wish that something would be done about the suffering in the world. It is easy to feel pity for mothers who are unable to feed their hungry babies, or for the victims of disaster or of war. It is easy to stand back and do nothing except feel sorry for them. But the world does not need pity – it needs our voice, and it needs us to DO something about it.

We need to remember that every person is someone’s child and that no matter their appearance, their IQ, or their nationality, that they are people like you and I. They feel pain and experience sadness and joy and they deserve to have a fair chance at a happy life. The same can be said for animals.

It is easier than we think to change the world. The first step is to be willing to act when called to action. To walk with out eyes open. I guarantee that there is at least one person or animal that could use your help today. That person might even be your own child.

It’s not that difficult to change the world. We can do it – one kind act at a time. We are more powerful than we think.

So how about it, will you join me and pledge to walk with your eyes open, with the willingness to reach out or speak out when needed? To be the light that is needed in the world?

If you light enough candles, the darkness will disappear. Let’s light up our world!

No worries – the weekend will be here soon enough. Have a good week everyone.

So very true! I could not have said it better myself.

Life is meant to be shared – the most beautiful of memories are usually those which are shared among loved ones.

“And me, I still believe in paradise. But now at least I know it’s not some place you can look for, ’cause it’s not where you go. It’s how you feel for a moment in your life when you’re a part of something, and if you find that moment… it lasts forever… ”

Quote from the movie ‘The Beach’.