Rant warning
We live in an age where women (and a few men) are famous just because they’re rich; where the ‘media’ follows them around just to get that one great photo; where ‘reality shows’ outnumber anything creative; where our sense of self-worth is based on our bank accounts or our ‘physical beauty’; where apathy outweighs empathy.
Why is it that ‘pop musicians’ get more attention for their bad decisions and are made millionaires because they perform songs written by other people? Why do media companies spend fortunes creating tv shows that follow families that have contributed little to better society or follow celebrity newlyweds as they navigate through their private relationships? Our priorities seem to have gotten jumbled along the way. Kindness and generosity seem to have waned. Our politicians seem to be working for the lobbyists rather than the people who elected them – afraid to make the hard decisions because it might risk their ability to be re-elected. Our obsession with celebrities has become more important than community engagement. Toddlers and Tiaras is a thing. Westboro ‘church’ selfishly pickets a family’s grief at a funeral for their loved one?! No one would consider that christian, it’s just plain hate.
Those people who are fighting for the less fortunate, for accountability of our largest corporations (Monsanto, for instance), for social programs that provide job training, safe havens for at-risk youth or victims of domestic violence, outreach programs to support the mentally ill or the aging populations seem to be fighting an unending uphill battle. Our schools are more focused on standardized testing than teaching life skills, problem solving abilities, recognizing individual interests and abilities. They remove enrichment programs like art and music which help provide the only experience and appreciation for the arts that some children will receive. Recess and physical education are being cut or dramatically reduced for the sake of classroom time when most children need to exercise and move their bodies to prepare their minds for learning and develop healthy habits.
Why are they called ‘Random acts of kindness’ rather than kindness just being a normal part of how we treat others in our communities?
Why aren’t we funding research to develop new treatment options to extend lives or cure diseases? Is it there that much apathy? Is it because it’s not important when it doesn’t impact you personally? Is it because these diseases kill so ‘few’ people that it’s not worth the money? Is it because it’s not profitable? Why are we and our families less important than the Kardashians or Honey Boo Boo?
This is the society that we live in. I think we can do better, how about you? Do you want to help improve our world? Helping others is a powerful, empowering, rewarding experience. So do something, anything to allow yourself that experience.
Pick a cause. Become an active participate. Become an advocate for change. Donate, fundraise to support an organization’s efforts. Talk about it, write about it, raise awareness. Volunteer your time. There are so many ways to help. Don’t make excuses for not participating in some way, any way.
Some options that are close to my heart (not a complete list):
Do something. Help. Give. Act.
everydayleft 
I agree! Your parents, like mine were big volunteers. We were able to learn from them. I do my volunteerism through church & have picked Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as the charity. As a bonus, I “get” to walk half marathons & raise money for them.
Nailed it, Karyn. It sometimes seems the priorities of a majority of our “culture” are so misplaced, and I find it disheartening and confusing. I know there are still millions of people who have the interests of others, for the common good, as a guiding force in their lives, and that brings me hope. I support many of the causes you listed, in addition to others…..and will (of course) be again donating to the National Brain Tumor Society for Team Wilder. (It hasn’t happened yet, has it???) Thanks for your most eloquent rant!