January 31, 2007 9:44 AM
Waiting for a change
Hi, I'm Mark, a sophomore from Chapel Hill, NC, and earlier I overheard some classmates talking about global and political problems and whatnot. Although it is difficult to pay attention to the news and grasp onto the latest headlines while juggling life at boarding school, most of my classmates are well informed... but something is still missing, their conversation was going nowhere, it was just one negative remark after the other. What is this news worth if all we're going to do is complain about it, question it, and then move on to do nothing. Last week, my old biology teacher gave a presentation about civil services and it got me thinking. He took action in the Peace Corps and served in Africa for two years- to try to make a difference. Last fall, a doctor came to talk to the school about the organization, Doctors Without Borders, a service that helps the ill and unfortunate in over 70 third-world countries, in efforts to fight the spread of AIDS, create clean water resources, and to cure the sick. Knowing the news is important, but acting upon and doing something about it is much bolder. I hear people complain often about the world's problems but what good is that doing? It's not like Captain Planet or Superman is going to hear our cries for help. The change lies within us, so why are we waiting for something to fix these problems. I've been inspired by the people I've met and seen who have taken action. I'm not saying go join the Peace Corps or cure cancer, but even the smallest efforts to make life better are astronomically important. Action is more powerful than pessimism, so next time something upsets you, make an effort it make it better. In the end it's just us out there- we're the only ones who can make things better.
Posted by Mark at January 31, 2007 9:44 AM