The Power of Words

I think that in light of our newly current political standings, the power of words is evermore important. The movement of one’s tongue, the way one’s lips cascade around a vowel, one’s teeth tightening around syllables should not define how we behave. However, there is a level to which diction matters.

America has elected a president who could be described as [a]: bigot, misogynist, xenophobic, racist, sexist, rapist, liar. Those words carry weight; substance. They are not words to be ignored. I believe that considering the power of words is critical in making an impact on this world. Whether that impact is focused internally or externally is the decision of each individual; but for the common good of humanity...everyone should be focused on change.

It is daunting and possibly unrealistic for everyone to feel expected to change the world. But if each of us were to take it upon ourselves to simply change ourselves; the collective effort of this would be boundless.

I make a conscious effort to live my life with intention. That does not mean that I do something revolutionary each day; but I do take the time to not only reflect on my personal progress but I aim to do things in my day to help others around me find purpose in their own lives. I see no reason why anybody would claim to be incapable of this.

Mindfulness training should be taught from an early age and should be an integral part of the education system. If from a young age humans were taught to take 10 minutes a day for introspection the world would be a much more accepting place. Once we come to terms with ourselves, only then can we accept others.

I still have a lot to learn about who I am but I embrace myself entirely on that journey. I love who I am even if at times I am not sure of every aspect of myself. Humans constantly adapt to environments; so even allowing yourself to love yourself while you continue to change is a major element to acceptance. I wish for every being to love who they are.

I believe people make poor choices not from a place of conscious maliciousness, but rather from a place of ignorance and self-loathing. I believe in humanity. I believe that there is good in this world, and a lot of it. I know that something truly tragic happened in our country but I also know that I saw the ocean today. I saw trees. The sun continued to shine brightly. Nature is resilient and nature never stops. Drought and forest fires might threaten growth; but the world naturally rebuilds itself.

People have a lot to learn from nature. Political overturns are just like natural disasters...in fact they happen just as naturally. Just as global warming follows the Milankovitch cycle, elections have their own cycles, as do we as humans. We are all in tune with the rhythms of the tide and the phases of the moon. Everything is meant to ebb and flow. Direct your energy not towards swimming against the tide, but in relaxing your muscles from your toes to your fingertips and riding those sick floats.

The times are oscillating and many people feel like our country is headed back 70 years. I don’t really agree with that. Although Trump and namely his supporters are sending a clear message to the rest of the country that Civil Rights movements are not respected and white supremacy continues to be the dominating force behind this disrespect, the youth of this country are not going to stand for this. We speak and when we do we are speaking loudly. That is a major difference between 2016 and 1946. Millennials are so well informed and by the time people like Trump are 6 feet under the ground we will be the one’s in control of this country and I have complete faith that we will be doing a good job.

​What is happening right now is going to go down in every history book. Our nation is in a radical state of oppression, hostility, and turmoil. I honestly don’t know what is going to ensue over the next couple of years but I know that we must look to great philosophers like Immanuel Kant. I believe transcendentalism is a great way to observe and understand the world. The core basis of the principle is that “in order to understand the nature of reality, one must first examine and analyze the reasoning process that governs the nature of experience.” 

I believe in this day and age it is easier than ever to stay home and not go be a part of something real. We can hide behind computer screens, bed sheets, and textbooks but it is integral that we go out into the world. Protests and riots continue to form but that of course is not the solution for everyone. I really do believe that analyzing the reasoning process which governs the nature of experience is an important thing to do not only for me but for everyone right now. I think the best way for people to do this may not be in large groups. Of course this could be considered through a collective consciousness but I think it is equally important to consider these things independent of a group. Before we stand together we must stand alone to know what it is we are standing for. This prevents our ideas to be influenced by other people’s perspectives. I feel like this is a situation where you need to be grounded in your beliefs. 

My sister, Katie, is one of the most active feminists I know. She has a calling to lead, and the charisma and power to have others follow. She is a pure inspiration. Not quite as outspoken, my calling is different...it comes from a different place. I always hear nature calling. I want to connect with this earth through soil and flowers. I think that this planet is what unites us all. It is our home. I think home is what is most sacred to anyone. Whether you define home as a place or a person...earth is where either of those things exist. We all need water, air, and sunshine and none of those things have been taken from anyone. Yet.

With Trump’s refusal to understand the reality of climate change, earth could face extinction. We must take care of our shared home planet before it’s too late. Millions of immigrants are facing deportation, and US citizens are fleeing and seriously considering fleeing this country. Yet, no matter where we go we cannot escape the inevitable (if no action is taken) fall of our ecosystems worldwide. That is a scary thought. It is one thing for different ethnic and gender groups to be targeted, but if it is our planet itself that will suffer...we all suffer.