Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

We are the youth of today, the generation that will soon be responsible for the state of the world. We like calling ourselves the leaders of tomorrow, a youth with a purpose, with an opinion, with a vision. Acceptable as this view maybe, have you ever wondered whether you as a part of this class of people are doing anything, substantial or not, to make even an iota of a difference?

Monotony has come to be accepted as a part of life, we don’t question it, we don’t change it, and we don’t bother about it. We have similar days, if not the identical, five days of a week, the weekends being no different. We are happy sitting comfortably in our houses, bothering about issues that only directly affect us. Is that what we need to do? Is that what’s going to help us grow, help the country grow and help the world grow?

In the recent past we have been faced with many dismal occurrences – manmade and natural - the terror attacks all over the country (India), the Bihar flood crisis, the Hurricanes in United States, the Global Financial Crisis, the attacks on Churches across the country, the Russia – Georgia conflict and many such others. Some of these have been beyond us, even if we want to help we aren’t able to but some of these are those that in which if we take part we can make a difference, just the step, the want and the will need to be there.

I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.
- William Penn


It is time to wake up and smell the coffee (and no I don’t mean Barista or Starbucks). It is the time to do something about issues other than college politics, decide which movie to go for or how to deal with relationships and break ups. It is the time to take it in our hands to make a difference, to at least try and help, to work our ways up the ladders of humanity, to end the day with the feeling of satisfaction, to see the feeling of gratefulness, the feeling of gratitude in the hungry, helpless man’s eyes.

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.

3 comments:

Rohan said...

making a difference is a merely a point of view. although i completely agree that it is definitely a good thing, making a difference can mean different things to different people- like the terrorism you spoke about was for someone, 'making a difference'. if youre difference is for the greater good of mankind, i say youre special, and YOU are.

Rohan said...

youre an extremely gifted writer, shruti. maybe i say that cause i know i never can be, maybe because i dont read much..but i can tell you that your thought to paper process is impecable..and i love what you write. i love you as a friend and as a writer. dont ever stop.

Kanta said...

Dr Abdul Kalam's Ignited Minds talk about the same thing, telling the youth they are the ones to change to things.

"If we work and sweat for the great vision with ignited minds,
the transformation leading to the birth of vibrant developed India will happen."

One small step by one young person can multiply to become strong reckoning force. A smile on a sad face or a thank you from someone who you helped in a small way can bring you satisfaction that no money can buy. Love your view on making a difference.