Straight Talk TNT

I’d like us to see how our actions affect others — from war to taking time to help someone. Many people think that to achieve success, their actions must benefit only themselves. But each person is one of millions. You needn’t believe in karma to realize that considering others’ needs and desires helps everyone. People focus on giving material gifts to those they love, but we can all give every day by being considerate.

If you make $26,000 this year, you’re in the top ten percent of global wealth. If you make $35,000, the top five percent; $50,000, the top one percent. No, we’re not smarter, harder working, or more deserving than the other 90 percent of the world. It was random chance to be born into this situation and structure. I hope this humble viewpoint helps us see others as us in different circumstances.

I wish we could get over ourselves. Humanity is in adolescence. We need maturity to live on this planet peacefully and sustainably. If we were enlightened, we would no longer have a carbon footprint. We would live less material lives and connect more with local people and local environments. More people would be artisans and farmers. There wouldn’t be video games. People would feel part of the real world and wouldn’t need to connect in a made-up world.

I could talk about ending poverty, saving trees, improving the economy, or achieving world peace. But none will happen if our media doesn’t change. The news is all about rights, whether for gay marriage, school for illegal immigrants, or health care. Yet we never ask for responsibility from ourselves — just from politicians. Pop music is all about booze, sex and bad relationships. TV and Internet content would appall our predecessors. America is falling apart.

My wish is that we all expand our horizons through self-education, travel, and other methods. It’s important not only for what we can know and experience, but also for how we relate to others. No one is too old or “set in their ways” to change their approach to life and relationships.

I would like to see people truly appreciate the opportunity of living, the majesty and diversity of life, and the challenges that strengthen us. We get caught up in the small stuff. I’d like people to step back and really observe life, think for themselves, and consciously develop appreciation for the world.

With all these wars and different religious and political views both here and abroad, we focus on differences. But we all have in common the ultimate goal of feeling loved and expressing love. Since we are all here for love, my wish is for us to remember that and see it in every person we meet.

My desire for humanity is that we find pride in our work, compassion for everyone, and the strength to resolve problems through communication rather than violence.