Dear reader,
I'd like you to have a seat. Pick a place that makes you feel comfortable, suits you the most; be that your bed, a tram seat, or a comfy armchair by the window. Most importantly, I'd like you to sit somewhere where you can read what I'm getting ready to talk about and fully take in the gist of it all. Now, the idea is not new, has been covered before, so for that matter, this is not something that'll enlighten and astound you, but if you read it carefully, it actually could - just like when something horrible you've read about in the newspapers actually happens to you as a type of punishment for your lack of empathy toward the victim, making you experience the terror they've gone through, realizing their horror on your own skin. Does that make sense? Having said this, still tiptoeing 'round the main topic of this cry for help for humanity, it's a logical question to ask what or who inspired me to write this in the first place. Looking back at what happened last week, I could name several different news that have lit a little flame inside of me, a little flame of both hate, shame, and terror for people, ignited by the magical matches of human stupidity, ignorance and most importantly - their insensitivity. The straw that broke the camel's back was something that burst all over my feed when I opened my Facebook account – various articles, by various journalists, headlines varying just a little, yet all of them followed by a photo of a young man splashing money about. A young man, waving four-digit kuna bills in his hand, and, to quote him - "counting his blessings", needless to say a recent must-have hashtag '#blessed' followed. Perhaps the whole thing shouldn't be worth the fuss. Shouldn't be worth anyone's while. Right? One 'rich' individual with no manners or empathy for the ones in constant struggle to make ends meet, bragging about his 'wealth' on Instagram. No big deal. Right? Well, turns out it IS a big deal. If it hadn't been for what followed in the comments section, the whole thing would've gone barely noticed. Hoping to find some satisfaction in the comments disapproving his act, I ended up being completely astounded not finding them, yet finding many others supporting his deed. Should we get worried over seeing a businessman's rich kid throwing a-few-retirement-pensions-worth-of-money? Well, not really. Don't we see them on a daily basis in the majority of the mass media - famous for being famous, or famous for being rich.
There is a certain profile and a group of people that concerns me though - I'm referring to the ones who keep putting these 'brats' on a pedestal and keep worshipping their image, the hundreds of millions who follow them on social media, who follow their examples, wanting to be not LIKE them, but THEM - to get their hands on a Vuitton, flash their Tiffany rings and proudly wear their Louboutins. Isn't it sad? Isn't it horrible? Centuries later, people still choosing their 'leader' only based on their 'wealth' and 'influence'. Funny, we've had an opportunity, recently, to see that these very 'leaders' really do go places after-all. Since it wouldn't be fair to allow them take up so much space again, let's talk about the other side of the coin: Now, imagine a cold, foggy afternoon. A boy walking home from school or work, having his inner conversations and worries all over his head. Recognizing a sound coming out of nowhere, from the darkness, and suddenly noticing an old lady. An old lady not like the ones in the movies portraying 'an ideal family' - the one baking cookies sprinkled with chocolate and pure happiness. Instead of a plate full of cookies in her hands, she is holding a black plastic bag filled with bottles. Cold weather. Instead of a warm home and decent clothes, there is a jacket all smeared with black stains, the dirt from having to make her living by digging through piles of trash.
How many bottles should she collect to get half of the amount the aforementioned brat threw away? Easy math. 10 000. For HALF of the amount. The saddest part is, she actually works and makes HER living, while the 'young guy' will probably keep spending his parent's heritage without working a day in his life. I’d read about people helping out the unfortunate ones in their struggle to survive before I saw her and felt amazed, yet never had the 'courage' or whatever it is that’s stopped me from doing the same thing. So you know what? This time I told myself I'd do it. What's the worst thing that could happen? She could refuse my help? I went to the supermarket and bought a bag filled with groceries. I'd give it to her the next day. I would meet her on my way back from school at her 'workplace', anyway. The following day, she was there. At first, I started questioning myself, recoiled a bit. A few steps from her I still wasn't sure if I should do it. Would she find it demeaning to receive a help from a random kid on the street? Deep down, I knew that I'd do it. Come hell or high water. Having in mind the fact that actually nothing bad can happen from my desire to help her out a bit, I greeted her nervously. To be exact, the whole thing wasn't as awkward as I thought it'd be. After a minute or two of hesitation to take the groceries, I finally managed to convince her - not posing with her afterwards with a hashtag 'blessed' or anything else. How did it make me feel? Fulfilled. Satisfied. #blessed? No. Now, you have two options- You either choose to go ahead, hold onto the handles of your make-believe world tight, keep going through the world of indifference and having the harsh reality out of sight, out of mind; Or you choose to let the fantasy of 'the perfect world' to divulge itself, realizing that there are imperfections and sadness in the world, but you can help to ease them. Go ahead. Go to the world and be the change you want to see. Or don't. It's up to YOU.
by drHouse :)