Do you remember those commercials? One person would buy a Coca-Cola for another, and that person would buy a Coca-Cola for someone else, and the chain would continue until everyone imaginable was sipping on a bubbly pop. The cola brought everyone together into a world where we could express our appreciation for one another without words.
I'd like to buy the world a Coke.
We always hear, "Don't judge because you never know where someone has come from." Admittedly, I am horrible about this. If I see someone with dirty hair, insults sling through my synapses before I stop and think, "Maybe that person's water has been shut off because he/she is struggling to pay for it." When I see a screaming child in the store, I silently berate the parent for spoiling the child, or not knowing proper discipline. Then I think, "Perhaps the child is autistic or mentally disturbed, and this is a meltdown." That is something I can certainly relate to.
These comments I make in my head are nearly automatic. And I hate myself afterward. No one deserves to be looked upon like they are scum simply because we are ignorant of each other.
I, for one, fear going out in public because of this. I am so terrified of the looks people will cast my way, the thoughts they may form about me, or the scoffs that will hit me when I leave the house. There isn't too much reason for people to look at me like that; I blend in fairly well. However, I know how people think--I know how I think--and I don't want others to think the way I do.
I started a personal project not too long ago in which I tell anyone who asks me to, all of the positive things about them that I see. For those I know better, the list is much longer, but I am willing to do this even for those I have met online. I do not believe in altruism, so this is no selfless act on my part, but I do believe that it could better the entire world. Can you imagine if, for one day, we all made each other feel worth the life we are living? Can you imagine what our daily lives would be like if we could receive two compliments for every insult? Can you imagine if we made each other feel valued every single day? The world would still be a very flawed and somewhat tragic place, but the sun would burn a little brighter for everyone.
I have never believed that the only thing the world needs is love. I am far too cynical and have experienced proof to the opposite of that. This entire world needs a lot of work. But love is the foundation of everything that could improve us. If we loved ourselves, others, the life we're given, the earth, the things we own, our futures, improvements would be made. This would never "fix" the world and all of its problems, but gorram, we'd have a start.
My bucket list has one goal on it: I'd like to buy the world a Coke. I want to show everyone love, hoping that, for even just a moment, they will know that I love who they are and value them. What greater gift could I give?
