Belief In a Better Way :)

The pervasive belief that things cannot be as we envision or desire them to be-that these ideals are just fantasies-is a meaningless restriction. The truth is that it can be simple, plain, easily-understood, and not just the messy, complicated, intricate thing we've been lead to believe. Things can be better, we should not lose our idealism, our 'innocence', if you prefer. We can be realists (and even be happy) and still work for, and desire, better lives. There is no rule that says we cannot enjoy what we have and still want a better world. Isn't it better to want something, to work and be motivated by this dream, whatever it is? Even if we die not seeing it done-but to know that we did something, even if it is something that maybe only we know or think is important? Even if it means being ridiculed, shunned, labelled (since we all are, anyway)? To have a purpose in life, something that gives meaning to our lives, that we decide is important, because otherwise we live for something outside of ourselves, that we do not truly believe in. We cannot continue to allow others to direct and motivate our lives, this direction and thrust must come from within ourselves. Others are not always around to direct us, nor interested in what is best for us. Others do not necessarily make the best choices for us, and do not feel bad for those poor decisions because, after all, it isn't their life! Why trust others to make decisions that we are capable of making for ourselves? How do they know better than we do what is best for us? If they are better informed, than why? We should all have that information, all of us should be able to make the most informed and best choices for ourselves. These are the questions we should be asking, "why is it I don't know what is best for myself?" The greatest disparity is created when some are more capable than others, not just when they have more, but when they are more. Just like, "if you give a man a fish and it feeds him for a day, but teach him to fish and he is fed for a lifetime.", not teaching him to fish is another option; and keeping him dependent upon the fish you provide can be much more appetizing since it creates a 'master and servant' situation. The destruction of hope or faith is malevolent and far more disruptive than physical debilitation. By this I don't mean a religious 'faith'-there is an amount of faith in trusting that tomorrow will come, and it is just as important and valid to many people as believing in a deity. I mean the capacity for belief in something not necessarily certain; such as that the future doesn't need to be the same as, or worse than, the past. Isn't it part of being alive to want things to be better today than they were yesterday? If not, why keep getting out of bed? Why do anything, if we can never improve our lives in any way? That is the reason this method of control, of abuse, is so insidious and malicious-it robs one not of the ability, but the desire, to do, to live.