My View on the World Today.

I am sad. 

Today I am sad because I have forced myself to face a very sad truth. Life isn't fair. It isn't fair for ANYONE! There are people sacrificing their lives both voluntarily and involuntarily every single day, hoping to leave a footprint in this world. It is sad and unreal that we all fixate on things that shouldn't matter. We follow trends both good and bad. This week I have followed two very different trends on social media. By followed I mean I have witnessed, observed, and participated in two very different things and I am sure many of you have too. 

The one trend I have seen is the ALS Icebucket challenge to raise awareness and funds for individuals battling Lou Gehrig's Disease/ ALS. The other trend I have seen is the events that have been taking place in Ferguson, Missouri. 

I am sad for both trends. Why? 

For one thing when did everyone become so judgemental? If someone wants to throw ice water on themselves, why is it a bad thing? Why can't we all come together and share the moment of raising awareness to something very real to many families all over the country? Maybe some people are in a financial rut but would like to provide support the best way they can. Why must everything people do be criticized. When I look on social media outlets and I see how many people have participated in this it reminds me that there are GOOD traits in everyone. We are NOT perfect but we are people and we should stand up for one another. Raising awareness about disabilities and life altering diseases is important. It is our job to become aware because there are people living with disabilities just trying to follow their dreams. We are all people with unique qualities and life patterns that are not always in our control. 

As for the events happening in Ferguson, Missouri I am sad. I can't explain it but I am just plain sad. Why is it that a young man was killed unarmed? Why are we repeating history over and over again? Why is it that people as a whole are not speaking out in outrage? This was a teenager who was killed! He was a person! Before we take away who this young man was by depreciating his value to just being on all news circuit headlines as "an unarmed black man" can we please remember this was a young person who had dreams just like the rest of us? I am hurt because my brothers and sisters are in a state of confusion, anger, frustration, loss and there has not been a solution. There are so many things wrong with this Mike Brown case and it doesn't stop here. I feel hurt because a mother has to bury her child instead of providing him with words of wisdom on how to navigate this life. There are so many questions and so many opinions and yet we still are waiting for a solution.  I am sad because I don't understand when and why the world became so hateful of people. Don't get me wrong I am well aware of many of the events in history that have happened and I know their are many references to wars in biblical contexts but what my point is, why is it okay that unarmed, people are threatened and killed by other people? When did we start teaching people that hatred to any type of person is okay? 

Who is in charge of this chaos?   

I do not have the answers to a lot of these questions listed in today's entry and I know many people don't. I am not one of the people who is silently protesting in the streets in Ferguson but I am a young woman who is outraged by it all. I know it is unrealistic to think that we should all band together and spread love to promote change, but what is happening in the world today is scary. People are experiencing horrible things every single day and I don't know what I can do to make it less horrible. 

I am sorry that some people will encounter a life full of obstacles because of the way they look, sound, or carry themselves. Everyday something wrong is happening in the world. My agenda is to advocate for those who can't adovocate for themselves; that may be someone who is living with a disability or a person who is living without a fair opportunity. Either way I vow to empower people no matter race, religion, creed, sex, age, socioeconomic, and or educational background, because no matter  what people believe;investing in one person can promote change. Maltreatment of any person for any reason cannot be our only option anymore. 

When life doesn't go as you planned

" Difficulties in your life do not come to destroy you, but to help you realize your hidden potential and power; let difficulties know that you too are difficult. "

- Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

There comes a time in life where everything seems like it is going wrong. It feels like life is against you. It is at this time where you will stumble upon a moment of clarity. Only when your heart and mind are ready will you feel a sense of serenity. Everything will look messy and chaotic from the outside, but this is just a cover. Five months ago my chaos began and I could not understand it. Today I feel excited about the future and the new journey that awaits. The lesson I've learned is that time is not promised to anyone. Saving great times and adventures to a later date is prolonging a chapter that needs to end. 

It's okay to be scared. That's normal that's the feeling of stepping outside of your comfort zone. At least that's what I believe. Life is happening around us. We have a choice to let our yesterday affect or tomorrow but if we leave yesterday in the past we make so much room for the future. 

The one thing about life that is interesting is that as much as we all try to plan everything it is apparent to me that we have no control whatsoever. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying to live the day and don't plan anything, but think about it. How many times have you had an idea or plan for something and it didn't go how you pictured it in your head?

To be honest I can recall very few if any time that an event went exactly as I had envisioned. The thing about life is that it is fluid and ever changing and if we try to live a perfect life we will miss out on the beauty of everything. Life is like the ocean; never ending beauty. If you try to box in the ocean it's just a pool. Limited. Life is beautiful and if you sit and actually think about the things that are important for yourself it isn't that complicated. 

Be nice to people. Smile often. Hug one another. Do something stupid. Live outside the box. You never know when you are going to take your last breath so go on adventures and live for the little moments. 

Everyday I google quotes to inspire myself. Yet everyday I still have no idea what I want out of my life. I haven't invested in my own dreams and that's a scary place to be. I have no idea what type of legacy I want to leave behind but that is okay.  This year I have lived through a lot if different events reminding me about life's values. I don't want to spend my life complaining and wishing I could be somewhere else doing something different. It is so easy to get distracted. I think the key to getting back on track when your life is derailed is simple. Take it one day at a time. It is so easy to be stressed and confused and misguided. However it is important to remember to live for yourself while spreading love to others. 

Right now my plan is not having a set plan and really thinking about short term goals. It may take me a while to figure them out but all I can do is live in the present and be grateful for each day. Something I tend to take for granted. 

It's been quite some time since my last post. However this journey continues to be therapeutic. This blog started off about my limitations but I plan to focus on what's happening in the present and my goals and dreams for the near future. 

Until next time,

Jessi Jo