Category | Op Ed

Shallow? It’s time to look outside ourselves and give some love.

Published on October 7, 2008 by The Sentinel

    Where do I even begin? It seems like these days there are so many economic crises I can’t even think anymore.


 

     The bailout plan did not go through, gas prices are so high it’s mind boggling, and, like many other presidential races, the candidates are being attacked for what they did in the past instead of being measured by the critical decisions they are for and against, and what decisions they will make once in office. I feel as if this economic hole has no bottom.

    Take a breath, I tell myself, and try to think about what positives there could possibly be to offer me even a little bit of relief from this stressful economy that devstates my wallet. What is missing? What could make me happier, or others for that matter?

    Then it hit me. I, we, need to open our arms and hearts to this earth that we seem to continually pollute. Also, we need to stop being so greedy. Our society cannot make it in the long run if we keep the “you can’t have any, it’s all mine” mentality. We need to spread the love.

    Then I got to thinking, how could we spread the love? If our society is so diseased that we are only thinking of ourselves these days, then why would we even want to spread love or even think about more than just ourselves? It seems instinctual to say we all really care, but in the last couple of years I am certain that outlook has changed.

    We need to first understand that by only looking out for our own needs and outcomes we are helping to make our country think that way as well. It’s time to make a change. Our generation is the one that is going to have to deal with and, ultimately, clean up the mess our government has left, so why not start now? As the presidential nominees and vice presidential nominees have said, this election is one of the most important elections we will ever vote for.  They are right.

    Stop and think. Our society revolves around who is wearing what, what purse everyone is buying, the latest games you bought for your 360. This is reality. However, what if some of that caring was directed towards more than just yourself, fashion, and the latest episode of The Island or The Hills; would that really be so devastating?

    It’s our turn to spread the love. We need to reach out to the community and help stock food, be role models to the children that will one day take care of us, promote aid in Darfur, and try as much as possible to vote for and promote policies that will help our government spread the love that is so desperately needed.