Today Rise is going to take on a different structure. Today I want everyone to take 15 minutes and think about how they’d like the world to be and be sure to phrase everything in a positive tone. Perhaps you want cleaner water & air. Perhaps you want families to be reconnected by bringing home our troops overseas. Perhaps you want everyone to have an enjoyable & meaningful occupation. Perhaps you want to find love. Perhaps you want to live in a world where … Think of all the possibilities and then write down the 5 - 10 that are most important to you. The five that I came up with are:
- Having a clean, healthy planet
- Having fulfilling relationships with my friends & family
- Love
- For everyone to be thankful, happy & healthy
- For everyone to respect themselves and others
After you go through that exercise think about how you can do your small part to bring about even one or two positive changes in the world. Perhaps it’s bringing some joy to someone else’s day. Perhaps it’s consuming fewer resources. Perhaps it’s convincing someone to quit cigarettes. Whatever you do, realize that you’re making a difference and that the world appreciates it. Together we can build a better world.
“Live the present. Do the things you know need to be done. Do all the good you can each day. The future will unfold.” – Peace Pilgrim
If you’re interested in ways to make change on a large scale, realize that the biggest changes usually come from governments and that a government only changes when its constituents do, be it through voting new representatives into office or simply getting the current administration to take another tack. One person can make a difference, and today it could be you! 
One thing to realize is that most representatives don’t hear too often from their constituencies, so perhaps your voice will be the one that pushes them to change their vote. Or perhaps it’s a phone call to a representative thanking them for their stance on an issue.
"A man of good will with a little effort and belief in his own powers can enjoy a deep, tranquil, rich life -- provided he go his own way. He need not and should not think of making a good living, but rather of creating a good life for himself. To live one's own life is still the best way of life, always was, and always will be." - Henry Miller
With that in mind, keep learning and spreading the gospel.
Be the change you want to see in the world,
Ross
