Main Street News

Imagine a world full of peace. A world full of joy and acceptance. A world where, despite differences, people would work together for the greater good and discuss the beliefs and thoughts that they have different opinions on. A world that celebrates happiness, progress, differences, health and wellness, and is safe for all.

Imagine such a world…

My mind drifted to such a world while I scrolled the latest headlines on a major news network’s website just now. The headlines are… well, in short, they are just dreadful if I’m being completely honest. There is absolutely nothing but negative, divisive, and gut-wrenching news that clogs the headlines. And that’s not just exclusive to this particular news network — no, no. Every major news outlet reports the same news, and all stories are essentially negative — and divisive. No wonder we all feel a sense of gloom and doom when we’re being bombarded from every direction with nothing but negative and heart-breaking “news.”

Feeling the angst and cloud of negativity looming, I quickly clicked the X out of the browser. Not to bury my head in the sand, but to scoff at the fact that all of the media outlets that I look at in an attempt to know what’s happening in the world seem to only focus on the negative, the shocking, and the divisive. *sigh* It’s frankly exhausting.

Can these outlets that are responsible for sharing “news” with us not share some of the positive and amazing things that happen every day as well? Because there are so many incredible things that happen every single day! Share these inspiring and beautiful stories with the world. Show us the kindness and joy — and humanity — that takes place every day, as well as the bad.

Obviously, it goes without saying that there are some awful things happening in our world right now. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to diminish any of that or the counts of innocent people who have lost their lives and/or are suffering. Far from it, because some of the things that people are having to deal with are absolutely appalling. No one disputes this.

Imagine a new reality

Thinking back to the headlines, my mind then wandered to some of the more political headlines and topics that I saw in addition to (what must be) the seventh political (spam) call that I’ve received just today before 10am. This had me thinking about our supposed representatives who seem to be occupied with the latest slanderous comments and insults that are being hurled at each other this election season. That said, imagine if these people in power — the politicians who are supposed to represent us — were to demand peace and further, would set an example of how to work together?

What a world that might be!

Can you feel your anxiety levels lowering at just the thought of that? Because I can!

Imagine a world filled with peace. These are the things that we, the average citizens, want. We want peace!!! The innocent people stuck in war zones certainly want it as do people who suffer every day, as do people who are just living their every day lives. But instead, I for one, feel that my supposed representatives are too busy pushing their own agendas and/or that of their party. (Of course, I understand that I’m generalizing, but on the whole, that’s what it feels like). When they do that, you know what? They’re certainly not representing me or my neighbors — at least it doesn’t feel like it. It doesn’t feel like they’re looking out for me or my family, friends, and neighbors.

And I for one am quite tired of it. I know everyone else I talk with is as well.

What makes it worse is that the partial media sources and social media push this divisive language, messaging, and soundbites. This further pushes our anxiety levels, and it personally makes me further question what is actually true and what is not.

And all of this, frankly, it has made me so tired, stressed, anxious, and so incredibly sad. Thinking about the awful suffering that is happening around the world, the scores of innocent people who are suffering… it certainly feels like they are often forgotten in the midst of all of this, too, which might actually be the biggest crime in all of this.

Can we talk about peace?

So again, imagine a world of peace and prosperity.

I implore you to think about that for a moment. And how is it that we are not DEMANDING this? I just don’t understand it. It’s as if we can count on one hand how many of our representatives are actually talking about peace and demanding it! We teach our children to be kind and to not fight, we teach them to problem-solve… so then, why are we (the adults and people in control of the world) not solving the world’s problems? Why aren’t we working together? Why are we not taking care of people and showing compassion?

Why?

I don’t understand it.

At the time of this article, we’re only a few days away from the election. I’m not getting into the weeds of that specific debate with anyone. I’ve got my opinions, sure, but guess what? It’s not my place to share them here, as someone who has some media authority. I do, however, respect others’ opinions and regardless of if I agree with your viewpoints, I implore everyone to go out and vote on Tuesday! But further, and the point of this op-ed, I want everyone to think about what a world filled with peace would look and feel like. If we were to demand it. If we were to take steps in our every day lives to spread peace in the world.

Imagine if we all did that. Imagine what that world would look like! Because it all starts with one action, one person… and together? Together we can make a big change. Together we are invincible.

I recently had the honor of interviewing Lisa Worth Huber, who is the President of the National Peace Academy. If you’re so inclined, I’d love for you to listen to the interview and hear Lisa’s words about peace. But my takeaway from speaking with her was that each and every one of us has the power to make impactful change. Each and every one of us can make an impact and we can in fact change the world.

Imagine if we, the average citizens of our communities, band together and make peace a thing. From there we demand the higher-ups do the same. Imagine what that world would look like? Because if our focus and energy is no longer on fighting, imagine how much energy and power can be put into making progress and pushing us all toward positive and amazing things!

Imagine such a world…