age doesn't matter when you want to change the world

Often times we come across articles in newspapers and magazines briefing us about a wonderful deed of yet another child (or teen) prodigy. Some of us raise our eyebrows at it, some admire it, and soOften times we come across articles in newspapers and magazines briefing us about a wonderful deed of yet another child (or teen) prodigy. Some of us raise our eyebrows at it, some admire it, and some others just huff at it and put it aside thinking, “big deal. She’s got the brains to become a prodigy and I haven’t- parents’ genes and all- so not my problem. And anyway, I have so many more years and so much time to do good things for the world and solve all the problems I see around me. Aren’t teenagers only supposed to “chill out”, rock and be a challenge to their parents, after all?”

Though there might be an agreement to this from every one of our friends, this might not completely be true.

The first thing is, people who achieve and make a difference to the world need not always be a born ‘genius’. They should just be someone who wants to make the world better and are willful enough to get up from the couch and do it. Anyone can make a difference, young or old, smart or not, provided they have the will, which includes you and me. The world can never have enough of social workers because the bondage of social evils like poverty, discrimination, greed and exploitation is also a never ending one. You don’t need to go looking for a problem to solve either, because there will be one, if not more within your very backyard. May it be a young boy getting bullied in your school, an orphanage in your neighborhood or a hungry stray dog around, you can always help and it will always count.

Though we live in a n extreme comfort, though we may not realize it ourselves, there are people who go through much more anguish and agony, who are not as fortunate as us. Around a third of children in Afghanistan suffer from acute malnutrition. Even in America, 20.5 million live in extreme poverty. This means their family’s cash income is less than half of the poverty line, or about $10,000 a year for a family of four, while in India, the facts are even graver, with only $2000 or less a year for a completely working family of four.

How can we help? Taking part in awareness movements, going for charity drives are some great and common ways many of us try to help but there’s no harm in trying something different, either, like giving speeches or personally helping out at labor’s camps or old age homes. Though this idea might seem harsh, how bad would it be if we donate our birthday money to make little, unfortunate faces smile, instead of thrashing the old i-phone 4s to buy the new i-phone 5? I think that wouldn’t be too bad, not if we can feed a child for an entire school year with only 16$ while an i-phone costs 300$ on an average.

The second problem is, people don’t believe that something small they do will make a difference. Every little help, important or not, counts. Even if you are not appreciated or recognized by others for the little things you do, remember that you are anyway becoming a better human being. And in some way or another, even though you might not realize it yourself, you’ll ultimately be rewarded. And what’s better than that feeling of pride and warmth you get when you see the results of your work?

It’s also of dual use if we use our talents to help the world. Say, I am good at singing. I can do a fundraising concert for charity, right? Many of us here are good writers, so what about using our pen as a weapon not for harming, but for making peace in the world?

Finally, it is only if you start now, that you will evolve into a better person as you grow up. It’s never too late or early to make the world happier. Helping others is also a way of showing gratitude and thanking god for whatever you have got. Helping and making a difference, whether it’s by you or some genius (probably you, too) is the most beautiful thing in the world. It’s your world, shrugging off responsibility or justifying the sufferings of the world is of no use. We all, as children and teens, have to take leadership and initiative, show that we can do even what adults can’t, because we, the youth of today, are the leaders and hope, of tomorrow. So let us, together, make a difference today.

 me others just huff at it and put it aside thinking, “big deal. She’s got the brains to become a prodigy and I haven’t- parents’ genes and all- so not my problem. And anyway, I have so many more years and so much time to do good things for the world and solve all the problems I see around me. Aren't teenagers only supposed to “chill out”, rock and be a challenge to their parents, after all?”

Though there might be an agreement to this from every one of our friends, this might not completely be true.

The first thing is, people who achieve and make a difference to the world need not always be a born ‘genius’. They should just be someone who wants to make the world better and are willful enough to get up from the couch and do it. Anyone can make a difference, young or old, smart or not, provided they have the will, which includes you and me. The world can never have enough of social workers because the bondage of social evils like poverty, discrimination, greed and exploitation is also a never ending one. You don’t need to go looking for a problem to solve either, because there will be one, if not more within your very backyard. May it be a young boy getting bullied in your school, an orphanage in your neighborhood or a hungry stray dog around, you can always help and it will always count.

Though we live in a n extreme comfort, though we may not realize it ourselves, there are people who go through much more anguish and agony, who are not as fortunate as us. Around a third of children in Afghanistan suffer from acute malnutrition. Even in America, 20.5 million live in extreme poverty. This means their family’s cash income is less than half of the poverty line, or about $10,000 a year for a family of four, while in India, the facts are even graver, with only $2000 or less a year for a completely working family of four.

How can we help? Taking part in awareness movements, going for charity drives are some great and common ways many of us try to help but there’s no harm in trying something different, either, like giving speeches or personally helping out at labor’s camps or old age homes. Though this idea might seem harsh, how bad would it be if we donate our birthday money to make little, unfortunate faces smile, instead of thrashing the old i-phone 4s to buy the new i-phone 5? I think that wouldn't be too bad, not if we can feed a child for an entire school year with only 16$ while an i-phone costs 300$ on an average.

The second problem is, people don’t believe that something small they do will make a difference. Every little help, important or not, counts. Even if you are not appreciated or recognized by others for the little things you do, remember that you are anyway becoming a better human being. And in some way or another, even though you might not realize it yourself, you’ll ultimately be rewarded. And what’s better than that feeling of pride and warmth you get when you see the results of your work?

It’s also of dual use if we use our talents to help the world. Say, I am good at singing. I can do a fundraising concert for charity, right? Many of us here are good writers, so what about using our pen as a weapon not for harming, but for making peace in the world?

Finally, it is only if you start now, that you will evolve into a better person as you grow up. It’s never too late or early to make the world happier. Helping others is also a way of showing gratitude and thanking god for whatever you have got. Helping and making a difference, whether it’s by you or some genius (probably you, too) is the most beautiful thing in the world. It’s your world, shrugging off responsibility or justifying the sufferings of the world is of no use. We all, as children and teens, have to take leadership and initiative, show that we can do even what adults can’t, because we, the youth of today, are the leaders and hope, of tomorrow. So let us, together, make a difference today.