Humans

I've been encountering the word 'human' a lot for the past weeks. From the headlines of daily international and local news, the new people that I've met, the most talked about issues in the internet and social media today, music, to the organizations I've been coming across lately--I've been running into this word almost everywhere. And it got me to not just think, but also actually sincerely care about it. 

You see, I'm not the type who would often voice out my opinions on social matters. I'd rather just keep it to myself and to those who are really interested to what I've got to say. It's not that I don't care or I've got nothing to say, it's just that I feel like I don't want to add to the noise clutter that is already there is.

Humanity, humanitarian, humankind, humane, humans --never have this word appealed to me so strongly than before. Probably because I've never given it much thought. With all the chaos that's been going on in the world today --war, terrorism, disasters, crises, violence, destruction, prejudice and what not, I can't help but feel powerless and helpless with the state of the world. After all, I am just a human and there are forces that are definitely greater than mine.  Or so I thought. 

This year I have met a number of people who have made me realize one thing: I can be the change that I want the world to be. These are young, simple, ordinary people whom you'll probably bump into your daily commute or possibly just sit right next to in restaurants. But don't let their humble exterior fool you, these people are passionate, enthusiastic and full of hope. I've met most of them through volunteering for organizations with a cause, some of them are friends and families who have encouraged me to join their advocacies. Their enthusiasm and influence opened my eyes and made me realize that all is not lost after all. All I had to do is to become the change that I want the world to be and hopefully, if god and the universe will permit, this good change that we all so want will spread across the world, too.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. God definitely has a purpose for letting these people come into my life. I may never understand it now or never at all but I am thankful for crossing paths with these people for they have made me realize how to become a human, not the type who would mostly obsess about superficial and artificial things but the type who would build and promote a better, more peaceful world.