a cause

Wow. Today our school had a last-minute assembly. The speaker was Dr. Ashis Brahma. He's a doctor at a refugee camp in Chad. For a while he was the only doctor in the camp of 27,000 people. He talked about what it was like to practice medicine in the middle of the desert.

Never before have I felt so convicted to act. I have never felt so bothered by the fact that I can come home in the middle of a storm and be warm and dry... and not be grateful. I am fully realizing how many things I truly take for granted. When I think about the things that I complain about - too much homework - not being allowed to go drink coffee with my friends? Are you kidding me? How absolutely ridiculous is that? I could be one of the women in Africa that constantly worry about diseases, murder, rape, and even where their next meal will come from.

One thing that frustrates me though, is my lack of knowledge on how to help. The whole idea of the injustice that takes place to innocent people all over the world seems so huge. It's such a demanding and ambiguous task, that it seems impossible. It's really hard to get over the mindset that I'm just a drop in the vast ocean. However, what makes up the ocean? Drops of water.

So here I go. I may not feel like my actions make much impact, but they can do nothing but help propel us all in the right direction. I will try with all my might to assist where help is needed - to address a problem when it arises. I'm changing my perspective. And I implore of you - next time you find yourself complaining because you didn't get your venti caramel macchiato - pause a moment and evaluate your circumstances. It could be worse.