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27 May 2008

'A Positive Future', by Summer intern Shreeya Sinha

Posted by: Doug Stewart

'A Positive Future', by Summer intern Shreeya Sinha

 

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marianne Williamson

This passage from author, Marianna Williamson, exemplifies my belief that a positive future is possible when individuals empower themselves to impact the world.

Today genocide haunts our world, the conflict in the Middle East has not ended, global warming jeopardizes a sustainable future for our planet, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is rapidly spreading without affordable medicines, and while we boast the benefits of globalization, over half the world still lives on less than a dollar a day, specifically, 43% lives on less than two dollars a day in South Asia alone. Clearly, our world faces serious issues that cannot be solved by the same people who created them and requires a higher level of commitment than just NGOs and international organizations.

This higher level of commitment lies within our own selves. In my vision of a positive future, these crises will not be a government’s problems, but our own. Every individual will realize that they are in fact, global citizens, and as a result have a tremendous ability and privilege to impact our world. Individuals will empower themselves to “Be the change they wish to see in the world” (Gandhi).

Empowerment is key to creating a positive future. We each have our own definition of empowerment that will always grow and be sculpted into something more and more beautiful as our lives continue. For me, at the least, empowerment is the willingness to draw strength from weaknesses in our lives, balance the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical self, persevere in times of difficulties and above all realize that nothing we do exists in isolation in this world. When we empower ourselves we automatically become contributors to social justice. We actively engage in the lives of others, explore moral and ethical issues, and knowingly or unknowingly advocate for under represented groups half a world away.

When we explore our own definitions of empowerment we assume a sense of courage to take responsibility for our selves and our community. The problems that exist in the world can be solved when we empower ourselves to actively engage ourselves in the global community. In my ideal future each one of us will realize that we are powerful beyond measure, and as such can work towards a better future.

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