If I Could Teach the World to Sing

WARNING: This post written by a hopeless idealist!

It seems like every day we wake up to more news of hatred, violence, and discontent in the world.  Senseless shootings, abuse of the weak and vulnerable, and enough daily dishonesty to make even the most idealistic individual lose faith in humanity.  With all of this, it’s easy to be defeated.  It’s easy to be a pedestrian, a passenger in life and resign to the hopelessness of our world.

But does it really have to be this way?

At the risk of being one of those idealistic dreamers (but as Lennon once said, “I’m not the only one”), I have to wonder aloud if hope still has a place in our world.  Is it too naïve to believe in something?  Is it ridiculous to expend the time and effort to do something (anything) to make the world a better place? 

I’m not bold enough to give any answers here.  I’m only asking the questions.  But maybe together we can test this.  Together we can light a candle for hope in the darkness that is our world.

It can start tomorrow. It can start with a small act. 

Instead of putting the change in your pocket, put it the jar in front of the register.  The one with the picture of the sick person you don’t want to look at and don’t want to think about.

Instead of driving by the homeless guy with his makeshift sign and faraway look, empty your wallet.  Put some cash in hands and bless his next meal. 

Instead of offering polite sympathy the next time a co-worker, neighbor or friend shares one of life’s burdens, look for a tangible way to help.  Maybe it’s a heartfelt note.  Maybe it’s a cup of coffee and an ear.  Maybe it’s a meal.  Maybe it’s a song. 

It may seem naïve to hope for a better world.  It may seem futile to light our candle to change when hopelessness is all around.  But as a wise person once said, it is only when good men (women) do nothing that the darkness truly wins.