#critically thinking

All ass very sphere

1-Common sense is not as common as you think. I think it is more 'a person of average intellect could, in theory, without outside pressure, deduce this logic...usually.'

2-Obvious things to you are not obvious to everyone. Goes along with the above in too many ways to count. You could point to it, directly, say 'this is it', and they would ask if your finger is broken...

3-Most people do not know how to critically think. Have original thoughts? SURE. Think for themselves? ...Nah. Why? CAUSE IT IS EASIER TO NOT QUESTION THE SHIT REALITY BEFORE YOU. Saying your hands are tied when you, in fact, are the one who tied them.

Fear and chaos make excellent magnets for action without merit. Despair and bitterness, as well, offer no effective means to effect lasting change. 

With that in mind, it’s been suggested to me that we reserve a space for optimism in our daily, if not hourly, lives. After all, hope isn’t born from the gnashing of teeth. Neither do our souls soar on wings of rage.

We desperately want… the world to be better than what it is right now. It’s a mistake, however, to think that, outside of elections every two years, the fate of the world and everyone in it simply hangs in the balance waiting for our next opportunity to do…

Something.

In February of this year, The New York Times ran a piece detailing what we can do right now. This very minute. In the lives of people with whom we share this third rock from the sun.

The article offers a way out of the tunnel vision that can overwhelm and color our days black. It presents, for our consideration, these efforts on which to focus our energies should we feel so inclined:

*Donating to local and international organizations *Giving our time *Focusing on women and girls *Helping to provide the basics *Making a lifelong impact by helping a child

Background, explanation, and links to resources are included throughout the article. Think of it as a place to start… in the absence of an obvious place to start.

Now don’t get me wrong. We can be doing all this and more… and still battle a riot of emotions visited randomly upon us across our days and weeks. This was pointed out to me by a friend who also sought to convey the importance of self-care and placing ourselves in the path of beauty. An important reminder that, when it comes to making the world a better place…

Hope.

Is where you start.

We need not wait for anything else.